The Decision: What Happened?

On 9 December 2025, Governor Adeleke formally announced his defection from Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Accord Party.

He revealed that he had actually joined Accord Party on 6 November 2025, following weeks of “consultation and deliberations with stakeholders and opinion leaders.”

Governor Adeleke gave several reasons for the move:

He cited ongoing national-level crises within the PDP — a long-standing factor he has blamed for his exit.
Nigerian News Today

He argued that the Accord Party’s philosophy of welfarism aligns best with his administration’s focus on citizens’ and workers’ welfare; in his words, “the primary essence of government is the welfare and well-being of the people.”

He framed the move as a way to ensure continuity: to complete ongoing programs and sustain “delivery of good governance and democratic dividends” that he says have been widely applauded.

He also declared his intention to run for a second term in 2026 under the Accord Party platform.
Telegraph

What This Could Mean Politically

The defection marks a significant realignment ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Osun State. By moving away from a major party (PDP) and joining a smaller one (Accord), Adeleke is betting on his personal political appeal rather than party machinery.

It reflects and arguably highlights the internal instability within PDP at the national level. His departure, along with other high-profile defections, may further weaken the party’s hold in some states.

It could also energize Accord Party, giving it a stronger presence, at least in Osun, and potentially altering the balance of power at the state level.

The public announcement took place at the Government House in Osogbo, in the presence of national and state leaders of the Accord Party.

Accord Party

🗳️ What It Means for Osun Citizens

For residents of Osun, this defection may carry mixed implications:

• Supporters of Adeleke’s welfare and development agenda might view this as a pragmatic shift — one aimed at ensuring continuity and stability for ongoing projects.
• Others may see the move as risky: switching to a smaller party could undermine the governance capacity that comes with backing from a major national party — especially during transitions and coalition-building.
• The defection may also shift political alliances and voter expectations, forcing citizens to reconsider loyalties ahead of the 2026 election.

🧩 Broader Significance in Nigerian Politics

Adeleke’s defection is part of a wider trend of political realignments in Nigeria, especially as elections approach. When a sitting governor leaves a major party for a smaller one, it reflects both personal calculation and broader dissatisfaction with party structures.

For Accord Party, this could be a defining moment — a potential opportunity to raise its profile and become more relevant in mainstream politics, at least regionally. For larger parties like PDP, it signals internal weaknesses that could have ripple effects nationwide.