Osogbo, Osun State – Governor Ademola Adeleke has officially emerged as the Accord Party candidate for the August 8, 2026, Osun State governorship election, following a seamless primary on Wednesday.

Adeleke, the only aspirant in the primary, secured 145 out of 150 votes cast by delegates drawn from all 30 local government areas of the state. The remaining five votes were declared void, according to the electoral committee.

Announcing the results, the Secretary of the Electoral Committee, Abdulazeez Salaudeen, said:

“Having the highest number of votes, I declare Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the primary.”

Strong Party Support and Security Measures

The primary was held in Osogbo under tight security, with armed police and Department of State Services (DSS) officers present. INEC officials monitored the exercise to ensure transparency.

Governor Adeleke, his deputy Kola Adewusi, and several political appointees attended the event. However, notable absentees included Osun State PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi, the Speaker of the House of Assembly Wale Egbedun, state lawmakers, and members of the National Assembly from the PDP.

The Accord Party’s national leadership, led by Chairman Maxwell Mgbudem, was also present to oversee the exercise.

Adeleke’s Political Move: Defection to Accord Party

Adeleke announced his defection to the Accord Party on Tuesday, signaling his intention to seek a second term. In a statement, he said:

“I joined the Accord Party more than a month ago, precisely on November 6, as a platform to seek re-election in 2026. This was after weeks of consultation with stakeholders and opinion leaders.”

He added that the Accord Party’s philosophy of welfarism aligns with his administration’s focus on the welfare of citizens and workers. Adeleke assured the public that his government would continue to deliver good governance and democratic dividends across Osun State.

Implications for the 2026 Governorship Race

The primary win consolidates Adeleke’s position ahead of the 2026 elections, giving him the full backing of the Accord Party machinery. Political analysts suggest that the governor’s defection and immediate primary victory could reshape the dynamics of the upcoming governorship race, especially in areas where his administration has strong support.

Adeleke’s re-election bid is expected to focus heavily on social welfare, public infrastructure, and citizen-centric governance, continuing the policy agenda that has defined his tenure so far.

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