What we are witnessing in Osun today is not mere political maneuvering; it is a resounding vote of confidence in performance over partisanship, in results over rhetoric. The dramatic defections and endorsements pouring in from unexpected quarters have turned what could have been a contested race into what increasingly looks like a coronation.
The August 8, 2026 governorship election is shaping up to be less about competition and more about consolidation of the “Imole” legacy. The most telling blow came straight from the heart of the opposition: Iragbiji, the hometown of former Governor and current Marine Minister Adegboyega Oyetola. When Hon. Kareem Afolabi, a veteran politician, former Chairman of Boripe Local Government, and widely regarded as the backbone of Oyetola’s and the APC’s structure in the area leads 15 other key leaders to dump the APC for the Accord Party, that’s not a defection; that’s a collapse. Afolabi didn’t mince words: Governor Adeleke’s “good job” is undeniable, with projects and programs visibly transforming the state. He invoked the legacy of the late Senator Ayoola Adeleke, praised alignment with President Bola Tinubu, and declared that Iragbiji has no real APC governorship contender worth backing.
This isn’t opportunism; it’s pragmatism rooted in observable reality.
But the real game-changer is the full, unanimous endorsement from the Osun PDP, the very party Governor Adeleke once led. Despite his switch to the Accord platform amid internal PDP crises, the entire state chapter, after wide consultations across senatorial districts, directed every structure from polling units to the state executive to rally unalloyed support behind him.
Six federal lawmakers elected on PDP tickets have already defected to Accord, joining the governor. Twenty-five state assembly members followed suit, leaving the opposition with a solitary voice in the House.
When your former party doesn’t just tolerate your move but actively deploys its machinery to ensure your victory, that’s not politics as usual; that’s a declaration that good governance trumps party loyalty.
Governor Adeleke’s administration has earned this momentum through tangible achievements that cut across party lines. From massive road rehabilitations (over 150-250km reported in various assessments), solar-powered streetlights illuminating communities, agricultural schemes boosting food production and farmer support, to top national rankings in education and human capital development earning him the BusinessDay Award 2026 and multiple South-West governance honors in infrastructure, agriculture, empowerment, health, and security the record speaks volumes.
Civil servants’ salary arrears cleared, promotions long overdue implemented, youth empowerment expanded: these are not promises; they are deliverables that have restored faith in leadership.
Critics may point to Accord’s internal hiccups or attempt to frame this as mere political horse-trading, but the facts on the ground drown out the noise. When leaders from Oyetola’s stronghold cross over, when the PDP machinery fully aligns behind an Accord candidate, when federal and state legislators defect en masse, and when public commendations highlight undeniable progress, the narrative is clear: Osun people are prioritizing continuity of performance over recycled politics.
The opposition’s house appears in disarray, while a broad coalition spanning former PDP stalwarts, key APC defectors from strategic areas, and grassroots momentum—has coalesced around Adeleke.
President Tinubu’s endorsement through alignment adds national weight, but it’s the local, visible impact that truly seals the deal.
Come election day, don’t be surprised if the result feels like a formality. The defections, endorsements, and achievements have already spoken. The coast is not just clear, it’s wide open for four more years of Imole leadership. Osun deserves nothing less.
E-signed: Hon Comrade James Onifade
Advocate for Good Governance and A Better Judicial System
