Governor Ademola Adeleke’s political trajectory has become increasingly uncertain following his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as indications emerge that he may be considering the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) or the Accord Party as possible platforms for his 2026 re-election bid.
The uncertainty deepened after the governor reportedly failed to obtain or submit the All Progressives Congress (APC) nomination form before the December 1 deadline, effectively ruling out a possible move to the ruling party.
“He didn’t pick up the party’s form, nor did he submit one. There is no pathway for him to become the APC candidate,” an APC chieftain told SaharaReporters on condition of anonymity.
In a parallel development, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) announced Dr. Najeem Folasayo Salaam, former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly and ally of ex-Governor Rauf Aregbesola, as its consensus candidate for the 2026 Osun governorship election.
However, the ADC’s Osun chapter has rejected the announcement, calling it “false and misleading,” exposing deep internal divisions within the party.
Political observers note that former Senate President Bukola Saraki, a close ally of Adeleke, may heavily influence the governor’s next move.
Saraki has publicly distanced himself from the ADC despite speculation linking him to the party following the appointment of Bolaji Abdullahi as its spokesperson. Both Saraki and Adeleke reportedly snubbed the recent ADC convention, signalling a lack of alignment with the party’s internal structure.
Meanwhile, Osun Accord Party Chairman, Victor Akande, has signaled readiness to grant Adeleke a waiver should he choose to contest under the party’s banner.
“If he comes to Accord, we will welcome him wholeheartedly,” he said, noting that the party remains open to new entrants despite having two early aspirants who have yet to commit financially.
The PDP’s scheduled December 2 governorship primary was cancelled, with the state chairman, Sunday Bisi, stating that Adeleke “may no longer be interested” in seeking the party’s 2026 ticket. Adeleke formally resigned from the PDP on November 4, 2025, citing unresolved national leadership crises.
A political stakeholder in the state described the governor’s situation as complex: “The internal division that forced him out of the PDP will affect his campaign structure and support base. It will be a tightly contested election.”
The Osun 2026 governorship election, set for August, is shaping up to be a defining moment in the state’s political landscape. With the PDP weakened by internal crisis and Adeleke yet to decide on a viable platform, political realignments are expected in the weeks ahead.
Former Osun Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has described the Accord Party as a “fair platform” for Adeleke’s re-election pursuit, suggesting that the governor will make his final decision upon returning to Nigeria.
As the clock ticks, Adeleke faces one of the most unpredictable challenges of his career, not from grassroots opposition, where he maintains strong populist appeal, but from dwindling time and uncertain political footing as he seeks a credible platform for his second-term bid.
