Osun 2026: Adeleke’s Aides, Accord Chieftains Defect to APC Ahead of Governorship Election
Political realignments ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State gathered momentum on Tuesday as some aides of Governor Ademola Adeleke and key members of the Accord Party defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Among the defectors are the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Market Affairs, Moyoade Lukman, and the Senior Special Assistant in the Governor’s Office, Azeez Kazeem.
Others who joined the APC include the Accord Party’s House of Representatives aspirant for Ife Federal Constituency, Dr. Leye Olagbaju; the party’s youth leader in Ife Central Local Government Area, Asamo Gbenga; and Ojuolape Olagbaju.
Speaking with journalists at Ileri Oluwa House in Osogbo, Dr. Olagbaju said his decision to leave the Accord Party was driven by his belief in the leadership capacity of the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
“We will deploy the political structures we have built over the years to support the ambition of Bola Oyebamiji and, by the grace of God, ensure his victory in the August 15 election. He is capable and possesses the qualities of a prepared leader,” he said.
Also speaking, Lukman described his return to the APC as a homecoming, noting that his experiences outside the party influenced his decision to rejoin the progressive fold.
Reacting to the defections, the Director General of the APC Campaign Council, Wole Oke, welcomed the new members and assured them of equal opportunities within the party.
Oke said the APC remained focused on securing victory in the forthcoming governorship election and expressed confidence that the party’s growing support base would strengthen its chances at the polls.
He further claimed that more aides of Governor Adeleke were preparing to resign their appointments and join the APC in the coming weeks.
“We have more aides of Governor Ademola Adeleke who are ready to submit their resignations. We even have commissioners who are coming. At the appropriate time, we shall present them to the public,” Oke stated.
The defections come amid increasing political activities, consultations and realignments as parties intensify campaigns ahead of what is expected to be a keenly contested governorship election in Osun State.