Adeleke’s Shift to Accord Delayed by PDP Convention, Says Osun Info Commissioner

 

 

The defection of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Accord Party was delayed due to the recent PDP convention in Ibadan, the state Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, has said.

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Alimi explained that although Adeleke had completed the necessary paperwork for the move, he opted to postpone his public announcement to avoid creating tensions during the PDP event.

“He resigned from the PDP on November 4 and had formally joined Accord by November 6, but waited to unveil his membership publicly to ensure he did not appear to disrupt the PDP convention,” Alimi said.

The commissioner added that the governor’s exit was prompted by the persistent leadership crisis within the PDP.

“He left the party because the leadership crisis was unending, and he became convinced that remaining in the PDP could compromise his political future,” Alimi noted.

Adeleke officially joined Accord on Tuesday, weeks after ending his long-standing affiliation with the PDP, the platform on which he was first elected governor. In his resignation letter addressed to the PDP Ward 2 Chairman in Sagba Abogunde, Ede North, the governor cited worsening internal conflicts as the reason for his departure.

Alimi also said the move to Accord aligns with Adeleke’s governance philosophy and policy priorities.

“Accord’s manifesto complements the style of good governance Governor Adeleke has been delivering. His move has been widely welcomed,” he stated.

Despite leaving the PDP, Adeleke remains committed to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, Alimi added, highlighting Tinubu’s roots in Osun as a factor in the governor’s continued support.

Adeleke’s defection adds to the growing list of high-profile exits from the PDP amid ongoing national leadership disputes. The party currently operates under two rival factions, with one group backed by Governors Seyi Makinde (Oyo) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi). Conflicting court rulings around the Ibadan convention only deepened the internal crisis rather than resolving it.