Osun 2026: ‘PDP Won’t Be On the Ballot’ for Governorship Election

Tension is rising ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election following a claim that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not appear on the ballot.

The Chairman of the Accord Party in Osun State, Mr. Victor Akande, made the statement during a media interaction in Osogbo. The event was organised by the Veteran Journalists Association of Osun State.

Akande insisted that the PDP would not be listed among parties contesting the election scheduled for August 8, 2026. He said the situation was clear and not open to dispute.

“To the best of my knowledge, the umbrella (PDP logo) is not going to be on the ballot paper on August 8th, 2026.”

He also rejected claims that the Accord Party is divided in Osun State. According to him, the party remains united despite recent controversies surrounding its primaries.

“There is no internal wrangling in our party. Before Senator Ademola Adeleke joined our party, we never had any faction. Those who are claiming factions, where are their factions? We have had primaries in Ekiti and Anambra states recently, where was the faction was there then?”

Akande alleged that the emergence of a rival faction only began after Adeleke joined the party, adding that the motives of those behind the move were now obvious.

“Why is it that it was when Ademola Adeleke joined the party that a faction came up? We know quite well those who are behind those so-called factions because one of their leaders came out openly, when they knew that their plans had failed.”

He further defended the Accord Party against accusations of being politically weak. He said the party has a history of electoral success and remains relevant in national politics.

“You cannot describe the Accord Party as a non-performing party. Sometimes in the past, former governor Rashidi Ladoja (now Olubadan of Ibadan), came to our party to contest and he won four House of Representatives and 18 House of Assembly. Now we have an incumbent, the state Governor in our party. How can you say such a party is a non-performing party?”

Akande also revealed that the party has begun preparations for Adeleke’s re-election campaign. He said a mobilisation structure has already been set up across the state.

“We have set up a grassroots mobilisation committee that will reach out to every nook and corner of Osun State. We are doing everything within our capacity to make sure that every person in Osun State votes for Ademola Adeleke, the performing governor.”

However, the PDP swiftly dismissed Akande’s claim.

The Osun PDP Caretaker Secretary, Mr. Seyi Bamidele, described the statement as baseless and misleading. He said the party has fulfilled all requirements to participate in the election.

“Saying that a party that has structure across the board will not have a candidate in the August 08 gubernatorial election? I want to tell you boldly that the PDP will have a candidate and will be on the ballot. We have met necessary conditions to be on the ballot.”

Bamidele expressed confidence that PDP would win the election, noting that the party still enjoys strong support across Osun State.

“People believe in our party, they are going to vote for us and we are going to win the election.”

POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the crisis followed the emergence of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the Accord Party’s governorship candidate in December 2025. Shortly after, another faction of the party conducted a parallel primary in Osogbo and announced Clement Bamigbola as its candidate.

The national leadership of the Accord Party later affirmed Adeleke as the authentic candidate for the Osun governorship race.

Before joining the Accord Party, Adeleke had withdrawn from the PDP only hours before its primary election. Despite his exit, the PDP proceeded with its exercise and produced Adebayo Adedamola as its governorship candidate.

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