‘I Love PDP, But Everything Is Falling Apart’, Adeleke Explains Defection To Accord Party

Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has explained his decision to quit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for Accord Party, saying persistent internal crises within his former party forced him to seek a more stable platform ahead of the next election.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday night, Governor Adeleke said his move was not a betrayal of the PDP but a necessary step to safeguard the progress his administration has made in Osun State.

“I love PDP, and I appreciate that the PDP gave me a platform to become a senator and now a governor,” he said.

“I just celebrated my three-year anniversary as governor under the PDP. I tried my best to balance the crisis from both factions. I did all I could, but everything seemed to be falling apart every day.”

Adeleke said with uncertainties surrounding the party’s internal disputes and multiple court cases, he had to make a “reasonable decision” to secure his political future and protect the state.

“I love my state, Osun State. Assuming that you don’t need a platform to go ahead and secure any nomination, for you to be a candidate is a different case. But you need a platform. And time is running out, since I don’t know what could happen in the future, all court cases and all that.

“I love PDP, but with all the crises that are going on, as a reasonable person, I have to make a decision. So where do I go from here? So that is why I decided to go for Accord Party,” he explained.

When asked for the reasons behind his choice of the Accord Party specifically, Adeleke said the decision followed prayer and reflection.

“Before I do something, I always put God first. I prayed about it, and God led me to Accord Party,” he said.

He added that Accord Party’s agenda aligns with his administration’s focus.

Highlighting his achievements, the governor noted that civil servants in Osun experienced significant improvement under his leadership.

“Before we came, we had a slogan we called ‘Afusa’. I said, what is that? ‘Afusa’, what is ‘Afusa?’ They said half salary. How can somebody be paid half salary? So when I came in, I started paying all those half salaries, I also completed it. And I increased workers’ welfare and they were happy with me.

“That is why I believe that the accord has the same agenda that I have, especially the welfare,” he said.

Responding to concerns about Accord’s political strength in Osun, Adeleke dismissed fears that the party lacked the structure needed to secure his re-election bid.

“It’s not all about party now. Osun people are wise. They don’t judge you by your party, it is the person. I have a track record, and so it’s the track record they will go for,” he said.

Adeleke also recalled his previous political experience to support his confidence, saying, “When I left APC briefly, during the time I won the primary for the Senate following the death of my late brother, Governor Senator Isiaka. I contested and won, but they refused to give me the ticket. I said, ‘It’s okay, if you don’t want to do that.

“PDP was dead that time. And I crossed over to PDP within a month. Out of 10 local governments, I won nine. Even that 10, I just gave it to them because I knew I won it all. It is the light in me, because I believe that people love me in Osun state.”

Despite the controversy surrounding his defection, the governor maintained that he remains committed to serving the state.

“It’s going to work, by the grace of God, and I’m going to win,” he declared.

Adeleke’s defection comes amid a wave of high-profile exit from the PDP in recent months, reflecting growing internal tension within the party.

Several senators, members of the House of Representatives, and state lawmakers have left the party for APC and other political platforms.