In a major political move ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has formally endorsed the Ademola Adeleke, the candidate of the Accord Party (AP), as its choice for the August 15 election.
The decision was announced during an enlarged stakeholders’ meeting held at the PDP state secretariat in Osogbo, where the state chairman, Hon. Sunday Bisi, directed all party structures to give “total, unalloyed, and uncompromising support” to Governor Adeleke under the Accord Party platform.
Bisi explained that the decision to adopt Adeleke was taken after wide consultations with party elders, leaders across Osun’s three senatorial districts, and stakeholders. He said the overriding interest of the people of Osun State guided the party’s position.
“After careful consideration of the overriding interest of Osun people, the Osun State Chapter of the PDP hereby directs all our structures—from polling units to wards, from wards to local governments, and from local governments to the state executive committee—to move en masse and give total support to the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke under the platform of the Accord Party,” Bisi said.
He attributed the move to the lingering leadership crisis at the national level of PDP, which has prevented the party from presenting a candidate for the August 15 governorship election. Bisi insisted that the state chapter would not allow disputes at the national level to truncate the development and progress of Osun.
“The party will not allow internal crisis at one level to sabotage development in Osun,” he added. “Hence, the need to give full support to the performing governor of Osun State in the person of Ademola Adeleke.”
Responding to the PDP’s endorsement, Governor Adeleke, who was formerly a member of PDP, welcomed the adoption and thanked the party’s leadership and members for the gesture.
“I love PDP, but I had to leave to escape being trapped for my reelection,” he said. “I confided in some of our trusted leaders, we consulted and prayed over it, and we were guided to the Accord Party, which is also first on the ballot.”
Adeleke urged all PDP members in the state to vote massively for the Accord Party on August 15, 2026. He expressed confidence in victory, noting that the people of Osun are eager for the continuation of good governance in the state.
The 2026 Osun governorship election has attracted significant attention due to internal disputes within major political parties. The PDP, which has been facing a leadership crisis at the national level, was unable to present a candidate of its own.
Governor Adeleke, who was elected on the PDP platform in the previous election, defected to the Accord Party to ensure his candidacy was not hindered by national party disputes. His tenure as governor has been noted for various developmental projects and policies, earning him widespread recognition within the state.
The PDP’s directive asks all party structures—from the grassroots level to the state executive committee—to actively support Adeleke’s campaign. Stakeholders at the meeting emphasized unity and mobilization to ensure a successful outcome in the August 15 election.
Governor Adeleke’s supporters have hailed the move, describing it as a necessary step to preserve stability and continuity in governance. They believe that his leadership is crucial for ongoing projects and policies in education, health, and infrastructure.
The Accord Party is now set to field Adeleke as its candidate, with the PDP effectively throwing its weight behind him. Political watchers expect the upcoming election to be closely contested, with parties realigning strategies in response to this unique alliance.