Adeleke’s 2026 Gamble: Osun Governor Eyes APP After ADC Shut-Out

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, may be on the verge of dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the Action Peoples Party (APP) ahead of the August 8, 2026 governorship election.

Findings revealed that the move follows the deepening internal crisis rocking the PDP at the national level and the failure of Governor Adeleke’s talks with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

It was learnt that the ADC leadership turned down Adeleke’s request for the party’s governorship ticket, insisting that such a move could trigger division within its Osun structure.

A party insider disclosed that the conditions presented by the ADC were “not palatable,” forcing the governor to explore other political platforms.

“The ADC made it clear that it would not release its ticket to the governor because that could cause a leadership crisis. That’s why he is now considering the Action Peoples Party as an alternative,” the source said.

The PDP is currently embroiled in a major leadership tussle between factions loyal to Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The crisis has also cast doubt on the party’s planned national convention scheduled for November 15–16 in Ibadan, Oyo State.

A Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier stopped the convention, declaring that the proposed event violated constitutional and electoral guidelines. However, the Oyo State High Court, in a counter ruling, granted the PDP permission to proceed, directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to monitor the exercise.

The conflicting rulings have thrown the party into confusion, with stakeholders divided over which judgment to obey.

A source close to Adeleke confirmed that the governor had previously considered joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), but his move was reportedly blocked by the Osun APC leadership.

“Governor Adeleke is reassessing his options. The PDP’s crisis and conflicting court orders have created uncertainty about the party’s future,” the source said.

According to political observers, the governor’s next steps will depend on how the PDP resolves its crisis in the coming weeks.

“If the division continues, contesting under the PDP could be risky. The APP now appears to be a serious fallback option,” another insider said.

As the political atmosphere in Osun State heats up ahead of the 2026 polls, attention is now on whether Adeleke will make the bold move to the APP — a decision that could reshape the state’s political landscape.