Osun State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, has said Governor Ademola Adeleke left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) because of the party’s unresolved leadership crisis, not because he failed to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television Morning Brief on Wednesday, Alimi explained that the crisis in PDP made it unsafe for the governor to seek a second term on its platform, especially after several attempts to unite clashing factions failed.
He said many stakeholders warned Adeleke that contesting under PDP could lead to legal problems. A situation similar to past cases where candidates lost their mandates due to disputes over who was authorised to sign party documents.
“Any right-thinking person will not advise the governor to contest for a second term on a party with leadership problems,” he said.
Due to that, the governor took his time to study other political parties, their manifestos and leadership structure before choosing the Accord Party.
He said Accord’s manifesto aligns with Adeleke’s style of governance and has been widely accepted by Osun residents, who he said are ready to follow the governor wherever he goes.
“The movement of Adeleke to Accord was fronted by the people. They are asking, we want you to move out of PDP. Go to any other party. We will follow you.
“There is a song in Osun now. The meaning in English is that wherever you go, we go. We will never depart from you,” he said.
He argued that Adeleke’s popularity gives Accord a strong structure in Osun, insisting that the governor has moved “all political structures, workers, teachers and artisans” into the new party.
He also described Accord as easy for voters to identify on the ballot because its logo is the first on the list.
Furthermore, he revealed that Adeleke resigned from the PDP on November 4 and joined Accord on November 6 but delayed the public announcement so it would not interfere with the PDP convention.
Alimi also confirmed that Adeleke will seek a second term under the Accord Party, however, the governor also plans to support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
NEWSNGR reports that his comments come after the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, officially joined the Accord Party, days after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party.
The governor made the announcement on Tuesday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in the presence of national and state leaders of the party.
According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor also revealed his intention to seek re-election for a second term on the platform of the “Thumb-Up” party.
Furthermore, Alimi also reacted to the viral video showing First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu asking Adeleke to stop singing and start his speech at an event in Osun.
Recall that on Sunday, Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, had intervened when Adeleke broke into a song during his speech at the 10th coronation anniversary of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi.
In the viral video, Adeleke was seen stepping up to the podium on Sunday to honour the monarch and congratulate the First Lady on her new chieftaincy title, Yeye Asiwaju Gbogbo Ile Oodua.
Instead of delivering his address immediately, the governor, well-known for his lively and musical public style, launched into a brief chant, prompting amusement from sections of the crowd.
The First Lady, who had moments earlier received her traditional title from the Ooni, walked towards the podium, gestured lightly to the governor and whispered to him to proceed with his statement.
The video has since drawn mixed reactions from People.
Reacting, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on the Bureau of Social Services, Akintunde Bello, said Mrs Tinubu should be cautioned.
Also, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, in a post on his Instagram handle on Monday, condemned the First Lady’s action, describing it as bullying.
But Alimi, while speaking, dismissed the incident as “a mere misstep,” saying the relationship between the governor and the presidency remains cordial.
He also defended Adeleke’s habit of singing and dancing at events, saying it is his natural way of beginning a speech and that the people of Osun are used to it.
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