Several prominent leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Esa Oke, Obokun Local Government Area of Osun State, have dumped their parties to join the Accord Party in support of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s second-term ambition.
The defection, which took place on Thursday, was led by Oni Olayinka, former Ward 07 councillor; Ogunsakin Bukola, former ward representative to federal lawmaker Wole Oke; Seyi Omojowogbe; Ajiboye Adegbite, former ward representative on non-indigene affairs; Oluwasesan Sunday; and Akogun Tayo.
Governor Adeleke’s Chief of Staff, Kazeem Akinleye, formally received the defectors on behalf of the governor.
He attributed their decision to Adeleke’s impressive performance, inclusive leadership style, and people-oriented governance.
The new Accord Party members pledged their total loyalty to the party and promised to mobilise massive grassroots support for the governor’s re-election in the forthcoming poll.
Pelumi Olajengbesi, lawyer and convener of the Imole Grassroots Mobilisation Network, described the development as “a major blow to the APC and a clear sign of Governor Adeleke’s growing political strength in Obokun Local Government Area.”
Olajengbesi added that the APC’s chances of defeating its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, have become even slimmer following the party’s controversial appointment of Wole Oke as its campaign Director-General.
Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Thursday announced a one-week shift in the Osun governorship election date, moving it from August 8 to August 15, 2026.
Governor Adeleke, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Accord Party in December 2025 and secured the party’s ticket, will face APC’s Bola Oyebamiji and other candidates in the rescheduled election.
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NOP NIGERIA to reach thousands of our daily users
