Atanda Withdraws Resignation, Stays in Accord, Backs Adeleke

Fresh political tension unfolded in Osun State on Monday as the lawmaker representing Iwo State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Rabiu Atanda, withdrew his resignation from Accord Party hours after a letter announcing his exit from the party surfaced online.

The resignation letter, which circulated on social media and was addressed to the Speaker of the House, indicated Atanda’s intention to leave the party with immediate effect, describing the decision as personal.

Atanda, elected in 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, was among 25 lawmakers, including Speaker Adewale Egbedun, who recently aligned with Accord Party in support of Governor Ademola Adeleke ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

However, in a dramatic twist, the lawmaker later appeared in a video with the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, and Speaker Egbedun, where he announced that he had withdrawn the resignation letter and remained committed to the party.

Speaking in Yoruba, Atanda reaffirmed his loyalty to Accord Party and declared total support for Governor Adeleke’s re-election bid.

He said he remained a member of the party and was ready to work fully for the governor’s victory at the poll.

Meanwhile, Atanda’s Personal Assistant, Adewale Adigun, hinted at internal disagreements behind the initial resignation, insisting that the lawmaker’s political future in the party would depend on whether he secures the party’s ticket for Iwo State Constituency in the 2027 elections.

According to Adigun, the lawmaker’s public withdrawal may not end the matter, as unresolved issues still remain within the political camp.

Attempts to get direct comments from Atanda were unsuccessful as calls and messages sent to him were not answered as of the time of filing this report.