Former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has said Governor Ademola Adeleke would stand a better chance seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party rather than the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking during a Yoruba talk show on Rave FM, Oyinlola noted that the ADC lacked the political strength needed for a serious governorship campaign in Osun State.
His comments follow concerns raised by the PDP National Deputy Vice Chairman (South-West), Kamorudeen Ajisafe, who recently warned that the ongoing crisis in the PDP could disrupt the party’s ability to nominate a candidate for the 2026 governorship election.
Oyinlola said Accord Party would provide a more stable and credible platform in the event that Adeleke decides to dump the crisis-ridden PDP.
He added that the governor would conclude his defection plans upon returning to Nigeria.
The former governor dismissed the likelihood of Adeleke defecting to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) or the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), arguing that such moves would face unnecessary ethnic sentiment.
Oyinlola said, “What is happening in our party is a source of concern for everyone, but under these circumstances, Governor Ademola Adeleke will find a solution to his predicament.
“Our governor wants a reelection; however, the crisis at the National level, we don’t know where it will lead to… We have seen it before in Zamfara, a political party were voted into office from the governor to the councillor, after they were elected, they said the person who signed their nomination forms lacked the right to do so, they later gave the mandate to our party, the PDP.
“This is a precedent in the present situation we find ourselves in Osun. According to the INEC guideline, all parties must have concluded their primary before 15th of December, 2025, and our crisis in the PDP is yet to be settled. What we will do is that when the governor is back, we will conclude the matter because we have been talking.
“If he were to decamp, everyone would know. What is paramount to us is that the good works that Governor Adeleke is doing should not stop.
“We, the elders of the party, have held a meeting before to consider possible defection into the APC. I have dealt with them (APC) before, I know their tendencies, hence I cannot follow the governor to APC. They don’t honour the agreement; they never honour the agreement with me, despite all my sacrifices for them in the creation of the party.”
Oyinlola further stated, “I will follow the governor to any party he chooses based on my personal conviction. If we aim to decamp to APGA, it’s like we’re entering into one chance. If I tell you that we are going to APGA, won’t you say I plan to sell you to the Igbo tribe?
“ADC is not a strong platform for us. How many Governors do they have? This is part of what to consider before making a choice. NNPP is a Hausa party. The Accord party is better, although they don’t have a governor either, but what they will use as an instrument of campaign of calumny will be limited.
“I know how the Accord party was established. Obasanjo created the Accord party, so the party is manageable. Although we created ADC together, it falls short of our expectations, and I think the issue is not outrightly sorted despite having many big politicians and members like David Mark.”
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