Osun governor says he secretly joined Accord on November 6, cites party crisis at national level and alignment of Accord’s welfare ideology with his administration’s priorities.
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has formally pitched his political tent with the Accord Party, days after walking away from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The governor made the announcement on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Osogbo, where he received national and state executives of his new party.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke also confirmed that he will be seeking a second term on the platform of the Accord Party popularly referred to as the “Thumb-Up” party. He disclosed that he quietly registered with the party more than a month ago.
“I joined the Accord Party more than a month ago, precisely on November 6, as a platform to seek re-election in 2026,” the governor said. “This decision followed weeks of consultations and conversations with stakeholders and opinion leaders across Osun State.”
Adeleke noted that residents and political actors in the state were well aware of the circumstances leading to his defection. According to him, contesting for a second term under Accord will allow him to complete ongoing reforms and service delivery initiatives, which he said have drawn praise both within and outside the state.
The governor explained that Accord’s philosophy of welfarism was a key motivator, saying the party’s people-centred approach aligns closely with the priorities of his administration.
“I welcome our party leaders into the Osun State Government House. You are now part of us, just as I am now part of you,” he said. “We must maintain a united front as we prepare for the elections. Our responsibility is to provide inclusive leadership that accommodates all interests across the state.”
He added that Accord is now positioned to “take over Osun governance” and sustain what he described as unprecedented service delivery under his watch.
Adeleke continued, “Since joining the party, I have been fascinated by its philosophy. Public leadership must always prioritise the welfare and well-being of the people. As governor, I have committed myself to workers’ welfare and to improving the quality of life of every resident. Day and night, we implement programmes across infrastructure and social services to elevate the living standards of our people.”
He unveiled Accord as the new political platform for the 2026 governorship race, rallying supporters across Osun West, East, and Central senatorial districts.
“From Igbomina to Ijeshaland, Ifeland to Osogbo, Iwoland, Modakeke, Gbongan, Igbajo, Ikire, Ikirun, Ede and every community across Osun, we must ‘thumb up’ in support of good governance,” he declared. “Osun voted for good governance in 2022, and they will support continuity in 2026. The people are ready, and Accord is our party for victory next year.”
Adeleke concluded by saying his declaration was made “in accordance with the will of stakeholders and the expectations of the Osun people.”
The governor had officially announced his resignation from the PDP on December 1, blaming the party’s prolonged national leadership crisis. In a statement shared on his Instagram page, he revealed that he submitted his resignation letter to PDP officials in Sagba Abogunde, Ward 2, Ede North Local Government, on November 4, 2025.
“Due to the ongoing crisis within the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party at the national level, I conveyed my resignation letter as a member to the party leadership in my ward,” he wrote. He also expressed gratitude to the PDP for the opportunities it offered him, first as a senator and now as governor.
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