ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has denied claims that he abandoned the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for personal gain, insisting that internal party crises pushed him to seek a more stable platform ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television, Adeleke said he remained loyal to the PDP but could no longer ignore the worsening division within the party despite his efforts to resolve it.
“I love PDP, but with all the crises going on, I did my best, I tried, but everything seemed to fall apart every day.
“As a reasonable person, I had to ask myself, ‘Where do I go from here?’” he said.
The governor explained that his move to the Accord Party was not a betrayal but a strategic decision to protect himself, his government, and the progress made so far in Osun State.
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“That is why I went to the Accord Party. It’s not true that I abandoned PDP. I love PDP, but I had to protect myself and protect my state so our good work can continue,” he added.
Adeleke, who officially joined the Accord Party on November 6, 2025, said political parties would play a limited role in the coming election.
According to him, voters in Osun State will judge candidates by performance, not party labels.
“Osun people are wise. They don’t judge you based on party; they judge the person. I have a track record, and that is what they will consider,” he said.
After publicly announcing his defection on Tuesday, Adeleke was confirmed on Wednesday as the Accord Party’s sole governorship candidate for the August 2026 election.
According to the party’s Screening Committee Chairman, Ibe Thankgod, the governor met all the requirements for nomination.
Adeleke said his decision came after weeks of consultation with stakeholders and opinion leaders, emphasizing that continuity and stability guided his choice.