Governor Ademola Adeleke has announced his defection to the Accord Party, marking a dramatic political realignment in Osun State ahead of the August 2026 gubernatorial election.

The governor made the announcement on his verified X account on Tuesday, just days after formally resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party, the platform that brought him to power in 2022.

Adeleke’s decision to join the Accord Party represents a significant departure from mainstream politics in Nigeria, where the PDP and All Progressives Congress have traditionally dominated electoral contests. The Accord Party, while registered with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), is considered a smaller political platform with limited national presence.

However, the timing of the defection is particularly striking, coming approximately eight months before voters in Osun State head to the polls. By leaving the PDP for a minority party, Adeleke has raised questions about internal party conflicts and his strategy for securing a second term in office.

The move could significantly reshape the political landscape in Osun State, where gubernatorial races have historically been two-horse contests between the PDP and APC. Political observers note that Adeleke will now face the dual challenge of building the Accord Party’s infrastructure in the state while defending his record as governor.

His defection also leaves the PDP without its incumbent governor, potentially opening the door for the party to field a different candidate in the election. How the PDP and APC respond to this development will likely determine the competitiveness of the August race.

As more details surface about the circumstances of his exit from the PDP, attention will now shift to whether other political figures in the state will follow Adeleke to the Accord Party and how voters will react to his new political platform.