On Wednesday, December 10, 2025, Ademola Adeleke was officially confirmed as the governorship candidate of the Accord Party for the 2026 Osun State gubernatorial election.
How It Happened: From Defection to Ticket
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Adeleke formally defected from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), on December 2, 2025, citing “persistent leadership turmoil” at the national level as the reason.
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On December 9, he announced that he had adopted the Accord Party — often known as the “Thumb‑Up” party — as his new political platform and declared his intention to seek re-election in 2026.
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The next day, a screening committee from Accord cleared him as a valid aspirant and confirmed him as the sole contender for the party’s ticket.
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At the party’s primary in Osogbo, 150 delegates from across the state cast ballots. Adeleke secured 145 votes; the remaining five were declared invalid — sealing his nomination.
According to Accord’s national chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, the primary result confirms the party’s commitment to internal democracy and due process.
What Adeleke Says: The Case for Continuity
In unveiling Accord as his new platform, Adeleke emphasized that the party’s focus on “citizens’ and workers’ welfare” aligns with what he says has guided his administration since 2022.
He outlined a five‑point agenda he intends to run on in 2026:
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Citizens & Workers’ Welfare
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Infrastructure Consolidation for Economic Prosperity
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Agro‑Industrial Expansion & Youth Empowerment
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Innovations in Health, Education & Social Care
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Improved Business Environment for Job Creation
He told supporters and party leaders: “This is our party, our new platform for victory come August next year,” stressing commitment to “inclusive leadership” and delivering on social dividends.
Political Significance: What This Means for Osun 2026
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The move marks a dramatic shift for Adeleke — from PDP to a smaller party — signalling possible disillusionment with party politics at the national level under PDP leadership.
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For Accord, winning the governorship ticket with an incumbent governor boosts the party’s profile and influence ahead of the 2026 election.
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For the electorate, Adeleke’s switch and re-nomination give voters a clearer choice: continuity under a new banner but with the same individual.
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With Accord now fielding a sitting governor, the 2026 race in Osun could become more competitive and unpredictable — especially if opposition parties mount aggressive campaigns to challenge his re‑election bid.
Looking Ahead: Questions to Watch
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Will Adeleke’s move to Accord be enough to hold his support base, or will some former PDP stakeholders defect elsewhere?
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Can Accord — historically smaller than dominant parties — deliver the mobilisation and resources required for a full statewide campaign?
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How will other contenders in the 2026 election respond to this development? Will his track record be central to debates, or will new issues take over?