Osun 2026: Uncertainty in Accord Party as lawmaker dumps Adeleke hours after exit
There is palpable tension within the Accord Party in Osun State after a member of the House of Assembly, Hon. Adesina Atanda Rabiu, representing Iwo State Constituency, briefly resigned from
- …18 lawmakers set to dump Accord Party—Group
- By Toba Adedeji, Osogbo
There is palpable tension within the Accord Party in Osun State after a member of the House of Assembly, Hon. Adesina Atanda Rabiu, representing Iwo State Constituency, briefly resigned from the party before reversing his decision within hours.
The development comes amid growing uncertainty within the party following the defection of 25 lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), including Speaker Adewale Egbedun, to Accord in support of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid scheduled for August 15, 2026.
Rabiu had, in a letter addressed to the Speaker and circulated on social media, announced his immediate resignation from the party, citing personal reasons. In the letter, he expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve within the party and wished its leadership well.
His sudden exit reportedly triggered anxiety among party members, prompting swift intervention from key figures. Sources disclosed that Governor Adeleke directed the Speaker, Egbedun, alongside his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, to engage the lawmaker and persuade him to reconsider his decision.
Shortly after, a video surfaced showing Rabiu retracting his resignation. Flanked by the Speaker and Rasheed, the lawmaker publicly announced his decision to remain in the party and reaffirmed his support for Adeleke’s re-election bid.
“I have now withdrawn my resignation letter and remain in the Accord Party. I am committed to working for the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke,” he stated.
Read Also: Two injured in Ilesa as Accord, APC members clash
Despite the reversal, cracks within the party appear to be widening. A political bloc within the Accord Party, the Liberation Movement, has warned of an imminent wave of defections by lawmakers dissatisfied with the party’s internal dynamics.
The group’s Secretary, Yusuf Adegboye, alleged that at least 18 lawmakers are considering leaving the party ahead of the 2026 governorship election. He attributed the looming defections to dissatisfaction with the party’s leadership structure and ongoing internal disputes.
Adegboye criticised what he described as poor management of the party since Adeleke’s defection, accusing the governor of attempting to impose candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He further noted that the unresolved leadership tussle within the party, currently before the court, has created uncertainty and eroded confidence among stakeholders.
According to him, the absence of clear leadership direction has made the party environment increasingly unstable, discouraging lawmakers who expected a more cohesive structure.
He listed several constituencies whose representatives may soon defect, including Olorunda, Ifelodun, Ifedayo, Ila, Ife South, Ife East, Aiyedire, Olaoluwa, Ayedaade, Ilesa East, Osogbo, Ede South, Orolu/Irepodun, Ife Central, and Egbedore.
With the leadership dispute yet to be resolved, uncertainty continues to loom over the Accord Party in Osun State, raising concerns about its cohesion and electoral prospects as political realignments intensify ahead of the next election cycle.
