Party Crisis May Push Governor Toward Accord or APGA as PDP Faces Imminent Failure to Field Candidate
The political landscape in Osun State is taking a dramatic turn as the 2026 governorship election draws near. Fresh indications have emerged suggesting that Governor Ademola Adeleke may be forced to seek an alternative political platform to pursue his re-election bid due to deepening internal crises within the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
This revelation was made by the PDP National Deputy Vice Chairman for the Southwest, Mr. Kamorudeen Ajisafe, during a radio interview on the programme Frank Talk, monitored on Monday. Ajisafe, a prominent figure within the party, painted a troubling picture of the PDP’s preparedness for the forthcoming election, openly admitting that the party may not be able to field a candidate for the crucial 2026 poll.
According to him, the internal wrangling and leadership battles bedevilling the party similar to what transpired in Ekiti State under Senator Samuel Anyanwu’s rebellion have crippled its electoral prospects in Osun. He stressed that the unresolved crisis has left the governor with no clear pathway within the PDP, thereby compelling him to consider other political platforms to protect his re-election ambition.
Ajisafe explained that the timeline set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) only complicates matters. He noted that party primaries for the 2026 governorship election must be held on or before December 15, a deadline that the PDP is unlikely to meet due to its disorganized structure in the state.
“Let me tell you clearly: the problem in Osun today has everything to do with securing a platform for the governor to contest,” he said.
“Where is the platform? What do we have in the PDP today that gives certainty? As things stand, PDP cannot present a governorship candidate for the 2026 election.”
He added that while other states like Taraba have until 2027 to resolve their internal issues, Osun’s situation is more urgent and delicate. The electoral timetable gives the governor little room to maneuver, and Ajisafe questioned whether any rational political strategist would advise Adeleke to remain in a party where he risks losing his opportunity for a second term.
“If you block your gate and refuse me entry, and someone else opens theirs for me to pass, would I be wrong to walk through it? This is the dilemma before Adeleke,” Ajisafe remarked during the broadcast.
Recent political signals emerging from within the state indicate that Governor Adeleke may indeed be considering a defection. Sources within the PDP and government circles reveal that the governor has been in discreet discussions with key stakeholders of the Accord Party regarding the possibility of securing their governorship ticket ahead of the August 8, 2026 election.
Other insiders suggest that APGA is also being considered as a viable alternative, especially if negotiations with Accord do not crystallize soon enough. It was gathered that several consultations have taken place, with Adeleke’s political advisers evaluating the safest and most strategic party through which he can actualize his re-election bid.
While some negotiations are said to be progressing well, others reportedly remain inconclusive. According to those privy to the talks, the governor is not willing to take unnecessary risks, especially with INEC’s primary deadline fast approaching. The goal, they say, is to identify the most secure platform that guarantees him a direct path to obtaining a governorship ticket without internal sabotage.
Within the PDP, the situation appears bleak. Party members and top officials remain divided, with factions loyal to national figures such as Nyesom Wike and Senator Anyanwu continuing to destabilize the internal structure. Ajisafe openly accused these actors of undermining the party’s stability and jeopardizing the political future of key PDP office holders, including Governor Adeleke.
He emphasized that the party hierarchy is fully aware that it cannot resolve its internal problems before the INEC deadline, which effectively shuts the door on the possibility of producing a legitimate candidate for the election.
Political analysts believe that the PDP risks losing Osun State entirely if it fails to resolve the crisis swiftly or secure a last-minute compromise that allows the governor to fly the party’s flag. However, with the clock ticking and tensions escalating, the odds appear slim.
As the political atmosphere intensifies ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial contest, Governor Adeleke is confronted with one of the most defining decisions of his political career. With the PDP’s internal crisis pushing him toward the edge, his next move will not only shape the future of Osun politics but will also determine the fate of the PDP in the Southwest.
For now, all eyes remain on the governor as he weighs his options between Accord, APGA, and a PDP that seems increasingly incapable of offering him a viable platform.
