BY Gbenga Shaba
Since a nationwide coalition of parties adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC), renewed optimism has followed across the country, with the momentum most visible in Osun State.
The news that Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, who is gearing up to seek a second term in office, has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to seek reelection in another unknown party is a big win for the Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola-led ADC in the state.
His resignation was announced late Monday in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, who disclosed that Adeleke had formally withdrawn his membership since November 4, 2025.
According to Rasheed, the governor’s resignation letter was addressed to the PDP chairman in Ward 2, Sagba Abogunde, Ede North Local Government Area.
Quoting from the letter, Rasheed said the governor cited the escalating crisis within the PDP’s national leadership as the reason for his decision.
“Due to the current crisis within the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), I hereby resign my membership of the PDP with immediate effect,” the letter read.
Adeleke expressed appreciation to the party for the platform through which he was elected as a senator representing Osun West and later as governor.
The statement, however, did not indicate the party Adeleke intends to join.
Reports had earlier suggested that he made attempts to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) with alleged backing from President Bola Tinubu, but the move reportedly met resistance from the Osun APC leadership.
With the Osun governorship election scheduled for August 2026, Adeleke is now expected to seek re-election on a different party platform, which the political observers in the state see as a big win for the momentum growing among the ranks and files of ADC.
According to some observers, not only would the supporters of the Governor and members of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP scatter, they will also be seeking political asylum from other parties, and with a leader that is as popular, forward-thinking, and democratic as Ogbeni Aregbesola.
ADC’s profile and integrity are growing massively in the State and people are really interested in the affairs of the State.
Just a few days ago, the paramount ruler of Osogbo land, His Royal Majesty Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun, Laroye II openly endorsed and declared for Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, and the African Democratic Congress, ADC in Osun as the state prepares for the 2026 gubernatorial election.
Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun told Ogbeni Aregbesola and all supporters of ADC, “that you have come to openly declare being in a new party with all those that followed you, means the whole of Osogbo will be behind you. No one will see me and not see Aregbe, and when you see Aregbe, you will surely see me.”
Saying, “Aregbesola’s journey this time around is different. This is because he has now come to work assiduously for the betterment of the people of Osun.
“He is one man I respect a lot, because when some naysayers were mounting pressure on him to dethrone me, he did not listen to them.
“We are not ingrates in Osogbo. Osogbo is always united when it comes to Politics.
“I’m for Aregbesola. I will never leave him. Wherever he goes, we shall follow.”
This assured support was not just from the Ataoja of Osogbo, but from one of the highest-ranking Kings in the Kingdom and a role model for many voters in Osun.
