The Osun State chapter of the Accord Party says the decision by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and some Peoples Democratic Party leaders to support the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, will not affect Governor Ademola Adeleke’s chances of securing another term.
The Accord State Chairman, Victor Akande, stated this in a statement issued in Osogbo on Monday.
Akande alleged that Oyinlola, former Secretary to the State Government Fatai Akinbade and former Commissioner for Special Duties, Tajudeen Oladipo, had opposed Adeleke during the 2018 and 2022 governorship elections.
He claimed that despite their opposition, Adeleke emerged victorious in 2022, after which the three political figures returned to his administration and benefited from the government.
Akande described Oyinlola’s latest political move as having little impact on the forthcoming election.
He said, “Osun Accord remains ever strong and Governor Adeleke remains unbeatable in the forthcoming polls.”
The Accord chairman further alleged that the politicians had repeatedly opposed Adeleke during previous election cycles but were unable to prevent his victories.
He said, “They failed to stop the governor’s victory. After they failed, they rejoined the governor and enjoyed positive treatment from the administration whose emergence they did not support.”
Akande also claimed that the former governor and his allies lacked sufficient grassroots influence to alter the outcome of the election.
He said, “Go to their local governments; they lack the political capital to swing the people against a governor who is widely acknowledged locally and internationally to have positively transformed Osun State.”
He urged residents to intensify their support for Adeleke ahead of the August 15 election, while describing the departure of the former PDP leaders from the governor’s camp as inconsequential.
The statement followed Sunday’s endorsement of Oyebamiji by a faction of the PDP led by Oyinlola.
Speaking at the endorsement event in Osogbo, Oyinlola said the group decided to support the APC candidate because of what he described as a lack of inclusion in the Adeleke administration.
Oyinlola, alongside Akinbade and Oladipo, however, maintained that their decision did not amount to leaving the PDP.
He said the group adopted Oyebamiji’s candidacy “having considered the decision necessary and out of conviction and sincere desire for the progress of the state.”
