Six members of the house of representatives elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Osun state have defected to the Accord.
The lawmakers announced their defection on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting held in Osogbo, the Osun state capital.
According to NAN, the defectors are Mahruf Adewale (Osogbo federal constituency), Bamidele Salam (Ede federal constituency), Soji Adetunji (Ikirun federal constituency), Mudashiru Lukman Alani (Iwo federal constituency), Lanre Oladebo (Irewole/Isokan federal constituency), and Clement Akanni (Boluwaduro/Ifedayo/Ila federal constituency).
Speaking on behalf of the group, Akanni said their decision to join Accord was aimed at supporting the re-election bid of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
In his remarks, Adeleke explained that his earlier exit from the PDP was influenced by what he described as spiritual guidance during internal crises within the opposition party.
“I love the PDP, but I had to leave to avoid being trapped ahead of my re-election,” the governor said.
“I confided in some leaders I trust, and we began consultations and prayers over the situation. We were eventually guided to the Accord party. As you can see, the party is first on the ballot.
“You should vote massively for the Accord party, and victory will be guaranteed for us. I thank the PDP family because I am part of that family.”
Adeleke defected from the PDP to Accord in December amid a prolonged leadership tussle within the party.
In February, Adewale Egbedun, speaker of the Osun house of assembly, alongside 24 state lawmakers and Moshood Adeoti, a former secretary to the state government, also left the PDP for Accord.
In a post on X on Monday, Adeleke said PDP leaders and members in Osun had endorsed his re-election bid.
“Your endorsement is not just political support; it is a powerful affirmation of the work we have accomplished together for the people of Osun,” he wrote.
“I humbly accept this endorsement and the confidence reposed in me. As we move forward under the platform of the Accord, I remain fully committed to consolidating our achievements and delivering even greater development.”
The governor expressed confidence that he would secure victory in the August 15 governorship election with continued public support.
