Osogbo, December 9, 2025 – In a dramatic political realignment that has stunned Nigeria’s South-West region, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Tuesday formally announced his defection to the Accord Party and declared his intention to seek re-election in the August 8, 2026 governorship election on the platform of the “thumb-up” party.
The announcement took place at the Banquet Hall of the Osun State Government House in Osogbo, in the presence of the national chairman, national secretary, and other top leaders of the Accord Party. Dressed in the party’s trademark white and green attire, the governor delivered a lengthy speech laced with his familiar dancing flair, revealing that he had secretly joined Accord more than a month earlier — on November 6 — after weeks of consultations with stakeholders.
“I joined the Accord Party more than a month ago, precisely November 6th, as a platform to seek re-election in 2026,” Adeleke declared. “Stakeholders and residents of Osun State are aware of why we are taking this important decision. We intend to pursue a second term in office on the platform of the Accord Party to complete ongoing delivery of good governance and democratic dividends which have been applauded at home and abroad.”
He explained that the choice of Accord was deliberate, saying the party’s philosophy of welfarism perfectly aligns with his administration’s focus on workers’ and citizens’ welfare. “The focus on people’s welfare should always be at the heart of public leadership. The primary essence of a government is the welfare and well-being of the people,” he stressed.
Adeleke used the occasion to call for unity across all zones and ethnic groups in Osun — from Osun West to Osun Central to Osun East — urging residents to “thumb up” for continuity. “From Igbomina to Ijeshaland to Ifeland to Osogbo to Iwoland to Modakeke to Gbongan to Igbajo to Ikire to Ikirun to Ede and other lands of Osun State, we must thumb up according to our collective desires for good governance,” he said. “Osun voted for good governance in 2022 and they will support continuity in 2026. The mass of our people are for continuity and Accord is our party for victory next year.”
The governor highlighted his administration’s achievements, insisting that “from infrastructure to social services, Osun has never had it so good in governance and service delivery.” He listed road rehabilitation, payment of pension arrears, health sector reforms, free education initiatives, and agricultural support programmes as proof that his government has prioritised the people.
National Chairman of the Accord Party, Maxwell Mgbudem, warmly welcomed Governor Adeleke, describing the defection as a historic moment for the party. He assured the governor of the full support of the national leadership and pledged to mobilise the party’s structure nationwide to ensure victory in 2026.
The defection comes barely days after Adeleke tendered his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing irreconcilable crises at the national level. His exit triggered an immediate PDP governorship primary on December 2, which produced businessman Adedamola Adebayo as the party’s flagbearer amid boycott by Adeleke loyalists.
Political observers note that the governor had explored a possible return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) but abandoned the idea when it became clear the party would zone its ticket away from Osun West, his political base. With the APC fielding incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola’s allies and the PDP now in disarray, Adeleke’s move to Accord — a relatively small but ideologically welfare-oriented party — is seen as a calculated gamble to retain power outside the two dominant platforms.
The Accord Party has scheduled its governorship primary for Wednesday, December 10. Party sources say Governor Adeleke is expected to be affirmed as the sole candidate through a waiver, clearing the path for his formal emergence as flagbearer before INEC’s December 15 deadline for submission of candidates.
Reactions have been swift and sharply divided. Supporters flooded social media with celebration, posting photos of the “thumb-up” symbol and declaring “Continuity 2026.” The governor’s nephew, music superstar Davido, simply wrote “We move accordingly,” sending the phrase viral within minutes.
Opposition voices, however, have been scathing. APC leaders in Osun dismissed the defection as an act of desperation, vowing to retire Adeleke politically in 2026. Some PDP chieftains accused him of betrayal, while others expressed quiet relief that the internal crisis might finally force reconciliation within their ranks.
As Osun hurtles toward what promises to be one of the most fiercely contested governorship races in recent Nigerian history, one thing is clear: Governor Ademola Adeleke has thrown down the gauntlet. With the Accord Party now transformed overnight into a serious contender, the battle for the soul of the State of the Living Spring has entered a bold new chapter.
