Osun 2026: Oyinlola explains split with Adeleke, backs APC candidate

One-time Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has explained why he and some other Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders parted ways with Governor Ademola Adeleke ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

Oyinlola said Adeleke’s decision to leave the PDP for the Accord Party without consulting key stakeholders contributed to the breakdown in their relationship.

He spoke on Tuesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State.

The former governor said he had earlier held discussions with Adeleke and his brother, Dr Deji Adeleke, on alternative political platforms following the crisis within the PDP.

According to him, four parties — the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Action Democratic Party (ADP) and Accord — were considered as possible alternatives to the PDP.

Oyinlola said he personally favoured Accord because he believed the party would appeal to a wider section of the electorate in Osun.

“I think I had discussions with the governor and his brother, Deji, on four possibilities.

“They suggested the possibilities anyway and these are APGA, NNPP, ADP, and Accord.

“I put forward the argument that Accord will resonate with our people.”

He said the discussions were prompted by concerns that the crisis within the PDP at the national level could affect the party’s chances in the Osun governorship election.

Oyinlola said the stakeholders had agreed to meet after Adeleke and his brother returned from abroad to decide collectively on the platform to use for the election.

He said he was therefore surprised to learn through social media that Adeleke had resigned from the PDP and joined Accord without the planned stakeholders’ meeting.

“And we said, as soon as they come back, let’s have a stakeholders’ meeting so that we can fine-tune how we report into which of the parties we want to use.

“Surprisingly, my governor came back from the US.

“Without any discussion, without any stakeholders’ meeting to fine-tune things the way we have agreed, I saw on social media, like every other member, that my governor has resigned from the PDP and he has joined Accord.”

Oyinlola described the decision as another example of what he called Adeleke’s “non-inclusive” approach to political decision-making.

He said some political appointees and other government officials subsequently followed Adeleke into Accord, but efforts to bring all the stakeholders together failed.

The former governor said the development contributed to his decision, alongside other PDP stakeholders, to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

Oyinlola, who was joined by former Secretary to the Osun State Government Fatai Akinbade and former PDP National Vice Chairman, South-West, Tajudeen Oladipo, recently endorsed Oyebamiji ahead of the election.

The group, however, said it was not abandoning the PDP.

Oyinlola said their decision to support Oyebamiji was based on what they considered to be the best interest of the state.

“And we felt we should exercise our conscience as stakeholders who have served the state.

“I do believe that at this particular moment, Osun State will require a different direction.

“That was why we did what we did.”

The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 15, 2026, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party after leaving the PDP.

The election has produced significant realignments among the state’s major political blocs, with former PDP leaders and stakeholders taking different positions on Adeleke’s re-election bid.

Oyinlola and some other prominent PDP figures have thrown their weight behind APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, while Adeleke is campaigning for a second term under Accord.

The competing endorsements have added another layer to an already closely watched contest involving the APC, Accord and other political parties.