Governor Ademola Adeleke has justified his decision to desert the Peoples Democratic Party for the Accord Party, citing the need to protect his personal protection and the state’s stability.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, Adeleke stated that he did not quit the PDP, which he still holds in high respect, but rather opted to prioritize continuity in Osun state development.
“It’s not true that I abandoned PDP. I love PDP, but I have to protect myself.
“I have to make sure I protect my state because of the good work we’ve been doing so that we can continue,” he said.
Adeleke joined the Accord Party on Tuesday after leaving the PDP, where he won the 2022 governorship election.
On Wednesday, he secured the AP governorship ticket.
He will face candidates from the All Progressives Congress, the People’s Democratic Party, and the African Democratic Party coalition in what is expected to be a pivotal election for his political career.
Responding to fears that running under a less popular party would jeopardize his re-election chances, Adeleke expressed confidence that his performance in office will earn him a second term in the 2026 governorship elections.
The governor claimed that inhabitants of the state are “wiser” and understand the distinction between “good governance and bad governance,” suggesting that the election would be decided by candidates rather than political parties.
“Osun people are wiser. They know the difference between good governance and bad governance, and they have decided to toe the Imole path; it is me they are talking about.
“We are not even talking about parties right now; the party is just the platform. And when they compare the records of what my predecessor has done, and they compare [them] with my own records, they have suffered a lot in terms of unpaid salary.
“I came in, I brought hope, I brought light to Osun State. So, my records, first of all, will speak for themselves,” he said.
Adeleke stated that he is not worried about “federal might,” noting that he won the 2022 governorship election while in the opposition and expects to repeat that feat in 2026.
“Well, I believe our president is a Democrat. He’s been in this position [opposition] before. When he was in opposition, I learned a lot from him, too.
“He stood his ground, despite the fact that he was in opposition, and he still won. So why can’t I do that?
“I was in the opposition when I won last time, and it’s not going to be different,” he added.
The Osun governor added that the “people will decide,” saying he is confident voters will return him to office “because of my track record” and their desire for continuity.
