The Chairman of Accord Party in Osun State, Victor Akande, has assured that Governor Ademola Adeleke would receive a waiver if he chooses to contest the next governorship election on the party’s platform.
Akande, however, clarified that neither Adeleke nor his associates had formally reached out to him, describing speculation about the governor using Accord Party for his re-election as “mere rumour.” He made the remarks during a telephone interview with the media
Accord Party has been listed among potential platforms for Adeleke’s re-election bid amid internal crises in his current party, the People’s Democratic Party.
Akande noted that the party already has two aspirants for its ticket in the August 8, 2026, poll, but said Adeleke would be welcomed if he chose to join.
“The issue of Governor Adeleke to me is still a rumour. As the state chairman, I have never met with anybody in government about that. We are not the only party they are talking about in terms of Adeleke’s defection, but if he comes to our party, we will welcome him wholeheartedly,” Akande said.
He added, “The political party door is always open. People are free to come in and also free to leave at any time they feel like. If he comes, we will give him a waiver to contest like every other person who may have interest in coming. There is a standing waiver already in the party. For now, two people have shown interest in contesting under our party, although they have not committed financially.”
Meanwhile, the Osun State PDP stated that the decision on which platform Adeleke would use for his re-election bid rests solely with him now that he has returned from a foreign trip.
The Director of Media and Publicity of Osun PDP, Oladele Bamiji, told the media that the governor will provide clear directives regarding whether he will remain in the PDP or move to another party.
“The governor has the power. He is back now, and we should all look forward to the directive he is going to give us. If it is necessary for him to move to another party or stay where he is now, he will let the world know,” Bamiji said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has set December 15 as the deadline for parties to submit their candidates for the August 8, 2026, Osun governorship election.
Last week, a former Osun State governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, said Accord Party is “a fair platform” for Adeleke to pursue his re-election bid, adding that the governor, who was out of the country then, would make his decision public on return to Nigeria.
Leave a Reply