By Peace Erewunmi

Former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has explained why he and other political stakeholders withdrew their support for Governor Ademola Adeleke ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election.

Oyinlola said Adeleke’s decision to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the Accord Party was taken without consulting key stakeholders who had previously supported his political journey.

According to the former governor, there had been an understanding that stakeholders would meet and discuss the political way forward after Adeleke and his brother returned from abroad.

However, he said the expected consultation did not take place before the governor made the decision to move to Accord.

Oyinlola said the lack of consultation contributed significantly to the decision by some PDP stakeholders to withdraw their support for Adeleke and back another candidate in the election.

The development represents another major shift in Osun’s increasingly competitive political landscape, with former political allies taking different positions ahead of the poll.

Oyinlola’s position also highlights the importance of internal consultations and political alliances in the state’s election, where party structures and influential stakeholders continue to play a major role.

Adeleke is contesting the election under the platform of the Accord Party after leaving the PDP, while the APC’s Bola Oyebamiji is among the major contenders seeking to defeat the incumbent.

The disagreement between Adeleke and some former allies is expected to remain a major talking point as voters prepare to decide the next governor of Osun State.