Osun Guber Poll: Adeleke’s Aides, Accord Members Defect to APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has received a major boost ahead of the 2026 governorship election as some political stakeholders, including aides of Governor Ademola Adeleke and members of the Accord Party formally joined the party.

The defectors were received on Tuesday at the Ilerioluwa Campaign Office, Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo, where APC leaders welcomed them into the party.

Among those who joined the APC were Honourable Kazeem Azeez Olatunde, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Adeleke; Mr. Lukman, Special Assistant to the governor on Market Affairs; Dr. Leye Olagbaju, a former House of Representatives aspirant; and Mr. Gbenga Ogunmuyide Asamo, popularly known as ASA, the Accord Party Youth Leader in Ife Central, among others.

Unveiling the new members, former Commissioner for Works in Osun State, Engr. Remi Omowaiye, said the APC would continue to welcome new members in batches rather than focus on publicising resignation letters.

“We are not interested in publishing resignation letters on social media. What we are focused on is receiving our people back into the progressive family in batches. The momentum is clearly on our side,” Omowaiye said.

The Director-General of the APC Campaign Council, Hon. Oluwole Oke, described the development as a sign that the political landscape in Osun State was changing ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Oke welcomed the defectors, noting that some of them were former aides to Governor Adeleke who had voluntarily decided to join the APC.

“It is obvious that the wind of change blowing across Osun State cannot be stopped. More aides of Governor Ademola Adeleke have already submitted their resignation letters and expressed their intention to join the APC. We will be receiving them in stages,” he said.

The lawmaker expressed confidence in the party’s chances in the forthcoming election, adding that more political stakeholders would declare their support for the APC candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), in the coming weeks.

The new APC members were later decorated with the party’s emblem amid cheers from supporters and party faithful.

Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Dr. Leye Olagbaju said he was pleased with his decision to join the APC, adding that his political structure would support Oyebamiji’s ambition.

“I am happy to become a member of the APC. With the political structure we have built over the years, we are ready to support Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji and work for victory,” he said.

Also, Ogunmuyide pledged the support of his followers to the APC governorship candidate, saying they were committed to ensuring Oyebamiji’s emergence as the next governor of Osun State.

Mr. Lukman, who served as Special Assistant to Governor Adeleke on Market Affairs, said his decision to join the APC was driven by his desire to reconnect with his political roots.

“I have decided to return to my roots and join hands with others to work for the success of AMBO in the forthcoming election,” he said.

APC leaders present at the event included the party’s Deputy Governorship Candidate, Engr. Benjamin Kayode Adereti; Hon. Oluwole Oke; immediate past Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Protocol, Ambassador Issah Adedotun Niniola; former Osun Head of Service, Dr. Olugboyega Oyebade; member representing Ife Federal Constituency, Hon. Taofeek Ajilesoro.