FEATURE; OSUN STATE GOVERNOR ADELEKE BORN WITH SILVER SPOON.
By Bala Salihu Dawakin Kudu
On Dec 9, 2025
Osogbo — In a dramatic turn at the Government House Banquet Hall, Osogbo, Governor Ademola Adeleke formally announced his defection to Accord Party today, unveiling it as his political vehicle for the 2026 governorship election. The announcement — witnessed by national and state leaders of the party — signals a major shift in Osun politics and adds new momentum to the coming election cycle.
Adeleke said he actually joined Accord on November 6, following weeks of “consultations and deliberations with stakeholders and opinion leaders.” According to him, the decision had been carefully considered and was motivated by his readiness to run for a second term in 2026 under a new platform — one he believes aligns more closely with his vision for the state.
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He stated: “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 added that Accord’s mission of “welfarism” matches his own priorities: citizens and workers’ welfare will remain at the heart of his re-election bid.
Adeleke extended a warm welcome to his new party colleagues, saying: “I welcome our party leaders into the Osun State Government House. You are now part of us as I am also now part of you. We are united in progress and good intentions for the good people of Osun state and Nigeria at large.”
The Accord Party traces its current leadership to Maxwell Mgbudem, who became national chairman in 2024 after a shake-up of the party’s National Working Committee.
According to its official description, Accord positions itself as a centrist, people-oriented party that champions “unity, progress, and constitutional integrity,” with a focus on democracy, social welfare, equality, and solidarity.
Advocates within the party argue that it offers a more stable and less factionalised structure than larger parties, making it attractive for politicians seeking a credible but flexible platform ahead of upcoming elections. This appeal may have resonated strongly with Adeleke, especially in light of his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) earlier this month, which he said was triggered by the ongoing crisis within PDP’s national leadership.
For Accord, which recently reevaluated and reset its structures in Osun State to prepare for the 2026 election season, Adeleke’s entry represents a major boost and an opportunity to elevate its standing in one of the country’s pivotal states.
Adeleke’s switch to Accord transforms the landscape of Osun’s upcoming 2026 election in several ways:
A sitting governor on a relatively small but growing platform: By folding into Accord, Adeleke brings the access, visibility, and incumbency advantage of the Governorship into a party that has traditionally been less dominant than the major national parties. This could reshape the dynamics of the race, especially if he can bring a significant number of supporters with him.
Potential consolidation of support across the state: In his speech, Adeleke appealed to diverse zones of Osun — from Igbomina to Ijesha, Ife, Iwo, Modakeke, Gbongan, Ikirun, Ede and more — calling for unity under Accord and promising continuity of good governance. If successful, this could translate into broad grassroots momentum.
A test of Accord’s internal stability: While the party’s leadership under Mgbudem has forged ahead, Accord has recently been embroiled in a leadership dispute, with a faction alleging Mgbudem’s suspension and naming another national chairman. The mainstream leadership, however, dismissed these claims and reaffirmed Mgbudem’s legitimacy.
By joining Accord, Adeleke is implicitly betting on that mainstream leadership — and on the party’s ability to project coherence ahead of a critical governorship election.
Leadership of Accord welcomed Adeleke with open arms. Party officials have described Accord as “dependable and organised,” suitable for any serious aspirant seeking credible and stable structure.
Observers now await the 2026 primary season, where Adeleke is expected to emerge as Accord’s standard-bearer for Osun — a development that might redraw alliances, reshape electoral calculations, and influence how other political actors position themselves ahead of the polls.
For many in Osun, the coming months will be critical: the governor’s performance, Accord’s readiness to accommodate a high-profile figure, and reactions from rival parties will all shape the state’s political trajectory.
With today’s defection, Ademola Adeleke has signalled his intent to fight for a second term under a new — and growing — political banner. His move to Accord marks a significant milestone not just for him, but for a party that has long sought relevance beyond its traditional margins. As Osun State heads toward its 2026 governorship election, all eyes will be on whether this bold gamble yields power, governance continuity — and a reshaped political future for the state.
(Democracy Newsline Newspaper, December 10th 2025)
