By John Dike, Osogbo
Less than two months to the Osun State Governorship Election, Governor Ademola Adeleke is said to be in a fix as it is not yet certain under which party he is to contest for his second term.
His problem is complicated by the prolonged crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), under which banner he was elected for his expiring first term.
This crisis has raised doubts about the party’s capacity to conduct valid nomination processes ahead of the polls.
Nigeria’s erstwhile ruling party at the federal level, which progressively became the leading opposition party,has been deeply fractured along two major lines.
One faction, led by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed, held a convention in Ibadan on November 16, where former Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Kabiru Turaki, was elected as National Chairman.
This faction also expelled the Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, and dissolved party structures in five states.
In response, a rival faction loyal to Wike, with Samuel Anyanwu as National Secretary, also counter-suspended acting Chairman Alhaji Iliya Damagun and installed Abdulrahman Mohammed as a replacement.
However, the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has reportedly endorsed the Ibadan convention thus clearing the officers elected at the convention as the authentic national PDP leadership holding the legal authority to sign nomination forms for PDP candidates.
But according to sources,Adeleke is exploring alternative platforms to avoid jeopardising his candidacy.
While some of his associates are said to be considering the Accord Party, others reportedly suggest the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). However, APGA’s strong regional identification with the South-East is seen as a limiting factor.
Earlier attempts by the governor to return to the All Progressives Congress (APC) were thwarted by internal resistance from party members, who feared that he would automatically become the party’s leader in Osun, potentially disrupting existing power arrangements.
Within the PDP, party stalwarts, particularly members of the influential Adeleke family, are said to be awaiting the governor’s final decision.
Adeleke has been in the United States for nearly two weeks, and political watchers believe clarity will emerge once he returns.
Former Osun State Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola has also weighed in, saying the decision on Adeleke’s political platform will be made upon the governor’s return.
Speaking on Rave FM’s political programme Oro Oselu, Oyinlola described Accord as a “reasonable option,” but stressed that his own defection would depend on the chosen party’s alignment with his personal political values.
He disclosed that he opposed earlier suggestions for Adeleke to join the APC, recalling that the party, in his view, has a track record of failing to honour agreements.
“If it is a party I do not believe in, I will not join,” he said.
On other possible platforms, he remarked: “If we go for APGA, it would be a one-shot chance. The Accord Party is a fair option. I know how it was formed and its founder, former President Olusegun Obasanjo.”
Oyinlola added that while he was involved in forming the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the party has fallen short of expectations and continues to struggle with internal issues.
He said, “When the governor returns this week, we will deliberate and inform the people of Osun of our decision.”
