Osun Speaker, 24 Lawmakers Defect to Accord Party, Back Adeleke’s Re-election

Adewale Egbedun, speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, alongside 24 lawmakers and former Secretary to the State Government, Moshood Adeoti, have defected to the Accord Party.

The lawmakers also declared their support for the second-term ambition of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

Governor Adeleke had earlier joined the Accord Party on December 9, 2025, after resigning from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing internal crises within the party’s national leadership. Announcing his defection via his X handle at the time, the governor said the move was necessary to sustain his administration’s delivery of good governance and democratic dividends.

In a statement issued on Friday, Olamide Tiamiyu, chief press secretary to the speaker, said the lawmakers reached the decision during a parliamentary meeting before proceeding to the Banquet Hall, where the formal declaration was made in the presence of the governor and leaders of the Accord Party.

According to Tiamiyu, the legislators reaffirmed their commitment to quality representation, transparency and responsive leadership, while pledging unwavering support to Governor Adeleke.

He added that the defecting members urged their supporters to remain steadfast and join them in what they described as a new political chapter aimed at ensuring continuity in governance and accelerating development in Osun State.

Confirming the move in a separate statement shared on X, Egbedun said his decision followed extensive consultations with political associates, supporters and key stakeholders.

He cited persistent instability within the PDP as a major factor behind his resignation from the party weeks earlier through his ward chairman, noting that the crisis had weakened its preparedness for the forthcoming general election.

The speaker said it was necessary to align with a platform that reflects his commitment to progress, unity and sustainable development, describing the Accord Party as stable, inclusive and people-oriented.

Egbedun called on his supporters to join him in the new political journey, expressing confidence that the party would consolidate the developmental strides already recorded in the state.

The latest defections leave the Osun State House of Assembly with only one opposition member, Femi Popoola of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke also announced the defection of Adeoti and his loyalists, describing it as a testament to growing confidence in his administration’s performance over the past three years.

He said Adeoti’s dedication to grassroots development aligns with his administration’s people-centred approach, adding that the Accord Party would continue to strengthen its structures across the state in preparation for future electoral contests.