A fresh political storm is brewing as a powerful faction within the Accord Party has openly rejected Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s defection, insisting his entry did not meet the party’s internal requirements.
Their public disapproval has injected renewed tension into an already fluid political landscape, raising concerns about the legitimacy of the governor’s sudden shift ahead of the next election cycle.
The faction, reportedly aligned with the party’s former presidential candidate, Professor Chris Imumolen, maintains that Adeleke’s entry amounted to a covert takeover attempt rather than a transparent political transition.
A senior member of the group, who insisted that party rules must be respected, said, “Processes are not decorative. Anyone seeking refuge in our party must follow them faithfully.”
The governor had earlier announced his departure from the People’s Democratic Party, citing deepening internal strife.
His declaration came just days before he was unveiled as the sole Accord governorship aspirant for the 2026 contest, a move that intensified scrutiny across Osun political circles.
Concerns deepened after his emergence as a candidate was confirmed following a primary election.
The controversy has stirred sharp debate among party insiders, who fear that the abrupt shift could fracture internal unity.
A party strategist familiar with the dispute argued that the development “could reshape political loyalties and unsettle voters if not urgently addressed.”
Moreover, analysts believe the unfolding rift could influence broader political alignments in the state as the election season approaches.
They warn that rushed realignments, if mishandled, may spark deeper cracks in an already divided political atmosphere.
During Wednesday’s primary, Governor Adeleke secured 145 votes to clinch the ticket, while five votes were declared invalid.
Announcing the results, Abdulazeez Salaudeen of the electoral committee affirmed the process as transparent, adding, “The committee has fulfilled its mandate. Senator Adeleke received the highest lawful votes and stands declared the winner of the primary.”
The growing dispute between the Imumolen-led bloc and Adeleke’s supporters now places Accord at a crossroads, with party cohesion hanging delicately in the balance.
The situation continues to evolve, leaving Osun’s political future open to shifting interpretations and emerging alliances.