Osun Gubernatorial Poll: Oyinlola Dumps Adeleke for APM’s candidate

Former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has dumped Governor Ademola Adeleke and endorsed the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) gubernatorial candidate, Hon. Adewale Adebayo, ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship election.

Oyinlola dispelled the alleged alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Accord Party, noting that the structure would rather work for APM and not any other party.

Speaking with newsmen at his residence in Okuku, Osun State, after a meeting with the 2027 National and State Assemblies candidates of APM, led by its 2026 candidate, Adebayo, the ex-governor disclosed that the APM/PDP alliance is a movement seeking to take over government in the 2026 and 2027 polls, hence the need to strategise ahead of the polls.

According to him, “This meeting is to get to know our candidates for the forthcoming elections, the governorship elections and the general elections in 2027. This is a movement that combines APM and PDP. We form an alliance to present a formidable force for the forthcoming elections.

“So the modalities of going through the whole process are what we have just come to discuss and to sensitise the general public that APM is coming.”

There is an alliance between APM and PDP. That was formalised some time ago. There’s an alliance, and we are building our strategy on it for the forthcoming elections. This is an endorsement for APM candidates and no other party.”

Ex-national vice-chairman of PDP, Tajudeen Oladipo, claimed that some leaders called him on the phone before the meeting to solicit his support, but he declined.

He said, “People have lost confidence in Accord and the All Progressives Congress (APC), APM has provided a better alternative for the people of the state. We are not in the race for fun.”

Similarly, ex-Secretary to the State Government, Fatai Akinbade, charged the candidates not to take the contest as child’s play but to work assiduously for victory.

The gubernatorial candidate, Adebayo, said, “The Osun election is a litmus test for the 2027 election. This is why we must make a statement by winning this poll to signal victory for our presidential candidate, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

“We are not in the contest to back any political party. We commend you, our fathers, for rejecting pleas and offers from APC and Accord. They have nothing to offer the state other than ill-governance. I am confident that, with the support of the PDP structure, we will win.”