Adeleke reportedly weighs defection as PDP crisis threatens 2026 Osun governorship ticket

Adeleke reportedly weighs defection as PDP crisis threatens 2026 Osun governorship ticket

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke is reportedly considering an alternative political platform ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election, following the deepening leadership crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that may prevent the party from validly nominating a candidate.

The PDP has been engulfed in a fierce internal struggle involving factions loyal to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, a dispute that has crippled national decision-making, including the conduct of primaries in Ekiti and Osun states.

With the INEC timetable mandating that political parties must hold their primaries between November 24 and December 15, 2025, concerns have intensified over PDP’s ability to meet the deadline. The PDP National Vice-Chairman (South), Engr. Kamoru Ajisafe, admitted publicly that the party is currently unable to nominate candidates due to unresolved internal battles.

Speaking on Rave FM’s Frank Talk, Ajisafe criticised Wike and factional national secretary Senator Samuel Anyanwu for obstructing the party’s processes. He disclosed that Anyanwu refused to sign documents required for the Osun primary scheduled for December 15. “That is an automatic ceding of the mandate,” he warned.

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Ajisafe hinted that Governor Adeleke may have no choice but to seek another political platform. “If anything happens in Osun, it has to do with looking for a platform to contest,” he said, emphasising that Osun’s 2026 election cycle is unique and time-bound compared to states like Taraba, whose governorship polls hold in 2027.

He further stressed that it is “known to the whole world” that the PDP cannot successfully nominate a candidate for the 2026 Osun election under the current conditions.

Amid these tensions, sources disclosed to The Nation that Adeleke is considering the Accord Party, with arrangements said to be “85 per cent concluded.” However, the Accord Party Chairman in Osun, Victor Akande, dismissed the report as speculation, saying neither the state nor national leadership had been approached. He added that the party remains open to Adeleke if he chooses to join.

Meanwhile, the Osun PDP has insisted that Governor Adeleke remains a committed member of the party. Its Director of Media, Oladele Bamiji, said Adeleke is free to make political decisions but stressed that he has not indicated any intention to defect. “Adeleke is a strong force in Osun politics, and he can defeat any opponent from any party,” he stated.

The unfolding situation leaves the 2026 Osun governorship race, Adeleke’s political future, and the PDP’s stability hanging in the balance.

Adeleke reportedly weighs defection as PDP crisis threatens 2026 Osun governorship ticket