Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has confirmed that the ongoing crisis within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) left him with no choice but to find a stable platform to seek re-election in 2026.
Recall that earlier today, THE WHISTLER reported that the Osun State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, had also said Adeleke left PDP because of the party’s unresolved leadership crisis, not because he failed to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’sPolitics Today on Wednesday, Adeleke dismissed suggestions that he abandoned the PDP, a platform he used to climb the political ladder, after joining the Accord Party saying he loves the PDP.
Now officially the Accord Party’s candidate for the August 2026 election, Adeleke explained that he had tried to resolve the PDP crisis, but it seemed to worsen over time.
“I love PDP, but with all the crises going on, you know about all these crises, I did my best, I tried, but everything seems to be falling apart every day. So, as a reasonable person, I had to make a decision and ask, ‘Where do I go from here?’” he said.
“That is why I decided to go to the Accord Party. It’s not true that I abandoned PDP. I love PDP, but I had to protect myself and protect my state because of the good work we have been doing, so that we can continue,” Adeleke added.
According to him, political parties would matter less in his bid for re-election because the people of Osun State will vote based on personality and performance rather than party affiliation.
“I believe that the people love me in Osun State, so it is not all about parties now. Osun people are wise, they don’t judge you based on your party; they judge the person.
“What have you done? I have a track record, and that track record is what they will consider. Within three years, I know what we have achieved in our government, so it is about the person,” he said.
Recall that on Tuesday, Governor Adeleke announced that he has joined the Accord Party as a new platform to seek re-election in August next year.
He disclosed that he joined the Accord Party more than a month ago precisely 6th November, 2025, as a platform to seek re-election in 2026.
He also said the decision was after weeks of consultation and deliberations with stakeholders and opinion leaders.
On Wednesday, a day after he made his defection public, Adeleke was confirmed as the governorship candidate of the Accord Party in Osun State for the 2026 election.
The Chairman of the Screening Committee and National Organising Secretary of the party, Ibe Thankgod said Adeleke met all the requirements for nomination and was subsequently cleared as the sole candidate for the party.