Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has emerged as governorship candidate of the ACCORD Party for the August 2026 governorship election in the state.
A total of 150 delegates of the party gathered in Osogbo, the state capital on Wednesday to pick a candidate in the party’s primary election.
At the conclusion of the exercise, Secretary of the electoral committee, Abdulazeez Salaudeen, declared Ademola Adeleke, the winner, having polled 145 out of the 150 votes cast by the delegates. Salaudeen declared five votes null, void and invalid.
Announcing the result of the primary, the Secretary of the electoral committee, Abdulazeez Salaudeen said: “The electoral committee has delivered on its mandate. After voting and counting, witnessed by the agents of the candidate and the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
“Having the highest number of votes, I declare Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the primary.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Governor Adeleke, had Joined the Accord Party to actualise his re-election ambition, citing the ACCORD’s “mission of welfarism” which he said aligns” with his “passionate focus on citizens and workers’ welfare” as reason for defecting to the party.
His Deputy and all political appointees also followed him to the Accord Party at a political gathering that was hosted inside the Osun State Government House, Osogbo, the state capital.
The National Chairman of ACCORD, Mr. Maxwell Mgbudem Esq, and the National Secretary, Hon. Mrs Adebukola Ajaja, Hon. Oke Rotimi Michael, (state chairman, Ogun) and other NWC Members, ACCORD State Chairman of Osun, Ondo, Lagos, Ekiti, OYO State, witnessed the defection of Govetnor Adeleke, his deputy and political appointees to the ACCORD.
All these came barely a month and five days after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) amid protracted leadership crisis rocking the PDP.
Adeleke’s exit further depleted the crisis – ridden PDP after five other governor had left the party over the same prolonged crisis. The others are Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom, Douye Diri of Bayelsa, Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta, and Agbu Kefas of Taraba.
The Daily Crucible reports that Adeleke had in a letter dated November 4 and addressed to the PDP chairman of Ward 2, Ede, Osun State, said he was quitting the party “due to the current leadership crisis of the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party.”
He, however, expressed gratitude for the opportunity given him to serve both as Senator representing Osun West and as Governor of Osun State on the platform of the party.
The letter was received the same day by Kamoudeen Alamu, the ward chairman, who said at the time that Adeleke would no longer be seeking the party’s governorship ticket, despite being cleared as the sole aspirant ahead of the 2026 election.
The governor on his X-handle declared that he wants continuity in delivery of good governance and democratic dividends to the good people of Osun State using the new party as the vehicle to accomplish it in 2026.
He said, “Today, we unveiled the Accord Party, our new platform for the good people of Osun State. From Osun West to Osun East to Osun Central, this is our party, our new platform for victory come August next year.
“I joined the Accord Party more than a month ago precisely, 6th November, 2025, as a platform to seek re-election in 2026. This was after weeks of consultation and deliberations with stakeholders and opinion leaders.
“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.
“We opted for the Accord Party because its mission of welfarism aligns with our passionate focus on citizens and workers’ welfare. Since I joined, I have been fascinated by the philosophy of this great party. The primary essence of a government is the welfare and well being of the people.
“I welcome the leadership of the Accord from the National into Osun State. 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.
“Our task is to sustain a united front as we prepare for future elections. We have a duty to ensure an inclusive leadership where the interests of all groups are cared for. Our party, Accord Party, is here to take over Osun governance and sustain the delivery of good governance in our dear state”.
