Osun 2026: Adeleke’s Aides, Accord Chieftains Defect To APC

Two aides of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and some chieftains of the Accord Party (AP) on Tuesday defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.

The defectors were received at the Ileri-Oluwa House in Osogbo, where they pledged support for the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

Those who defected included the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Market Affairs, Moyoade Lukman, and the Senior Special Assistant in the Governor’s Office, Azeez Kazeem.

Other defectors were Accord Party House of Representatives aspirant for Ife Federal Constituency, Dr Leye Olagbaju; Accord youth leader in Ife-Central Local Government, Asamo Gbenga; and Ojuolape Olagbaju.

They said their decision was informed by a lack of confidence in the ruling party’s chances and belief in Oyebamiji’s capacity to drive development in Osun State.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Olagbaju said they would mobilise their political structures for the APC candidate.

“We will deploy the political platforms that we have built over the years to support the ambition of Mr Bola Oyebamiji, AMBO, and by the grace of God, we shall deliver him as governor on August 15. He is capable and possesses the quality of a prepared leader,” he said.

Lukman said he returned to the progressive fold after learning lessons from his political journey.

Receiving the defectors, the Director-General of the APC Campaign Council, Wole Oke, assured them of equal opportunities within the party.

He said the APC remained focused on winning the governorship election.

“We have more aides of Governor Ademola Adeleke who are ready to turn in their resignations. We even have commissioners who are coming. At the appropriate time, we shall be bringing them for Nigerians to see,” Oke said.