Politics
Osun: ‘We Will Give Him A Waiver To Contest’ – Accord Party Promises Adeleke Governorship Ticket
The Osun State chapter of the Accord Party (AP) has promised to give its ticket to the sitting Governor of the state, Ademola Adeleke, if he chooses to run on the party’s platform.
Naija News reports that the Chairman of the party, Victor Akande, made this claim in an interview with Punch on Sunday.
He, however, stated that neither Adeleke nor his associates had formally reached out to him, describing speculation about the governor using AP for his re-election as mere rumour.
AP has been listed among potential platforms for Adeleke’s re-election bid in the past few days amid internal crises in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Akande noted that the party already has two aspirants for its ticket in the August 8, 2026, poll, but said Adeleke would be welcomed if he chose to join.
Akande said, “The issue of Governor Adeleke to me is still a rumour. As the state chairman, I have never met with anybody in government about that. We are not the only party they are talking about in terms of Adeleke’s defection, but if he comes to our party, we will welcome him wholeheartedly.
The political party door is always open. People are free to come in and also free to leave at any time they feel like. If he comes, we will give him a waiver to contest like every other person who may have an interest in coming. There is a standing waiver already in the party. For now, two people have shown interest in contesting under our party, although they have not committed financially.”
The Osun State PDP, in its reaction, stated that the decision on which platform Adeleke would use for his re-election bid rests solely with him now that he has returned from a foreign trip.
The Director of Media and Publicity of Osun PDP, Oladele Bamiji, in an interview with Punch, stated that Adeleke will provide clear directives regarding whether he will remain in the PDP or move to another party.
“The governor has the power. He is back now, and we should all look forward to the directive he is going to give us. If it is necessary for him to move to another party or stay where he is now, he will let the world know,” Bamiji said.
Former presidential adviser Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has predicted that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could suffer an implosion if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar secures the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 general election.
Baba-Ahmed made the assertion on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he spoke on the dynamics within the coalition-backed party and the ambitions of its leading figures. According to him, Atiku is strongly positioned to emerge as the ADC’s flagbearer if the party conducts a national convention, a development he believes would trigger an exodus of aggrieved aspirants and supporters.
“If ADC goes to convention, and it certainly will, because that’s what former Vice President Atiku wants, he will get the ticket,” Baba-Ahmed said. “And then, a lot of people will walk out because a lot of people are in that party only for the same thing. They want the ticket.”
He argued that the ADC is currently accommodating several high-profile political actors whose interests are bound to clash once the process of selecting a presidential candidate begins. Baba-Ahmed also referenced the posture of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, suggesting that Obi’s political style does not align with competitive party primaries.
“One of the reasons Peter Obi is saying, ‘Look at me, I’m not here for number two, I’m not here for convention, I’m here to fly the flag,’ is that he has people who were initially whispering politely to him,” he said. “But now they are saying, ‘Join the queue. You’re not the only one with ambition here.’”
He added that Obi was accustomed to being adopted as a consensus candidate rather than contesting against multiple aspirants. “Peter Obi doesn’t do convention. He just goes there to be anointed,” Baba-Ahmed said, suggesting that such expectations could fuel tensions within the ADC.
The former presidential adviser concluded that the outcome of the party’s convention could destabilise the coalition. “So, the ADC will bleed after its convention because almost certainly former Vice President Atiku will win the ticket, and when he does, some people will walk out,” he said.
A prominent northern political figure has outlined what he believes is the only realistic path for Peter Obi to emerge as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
The politician, Umar Ardo, said Obi’s ambition within the ADC depends largely on the decision of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
According to him, Obi cannot clinch the party’s ticket unless Atiku withdraws from the race.
Ardo, who convenes the League of Northern Democrats and once sought the governorship of Adamawa State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), shared his views during a televised interview on Tuesday. He maintained that the current political structure of the ADC strongly favours Atiku.
Moreover, He explained that Atiku remains the dominant force within the party and would easily defeat any challenger if a primary election were held today.
Ardo insisted that repeated primaries would still produce the same outcome unless Atiku decides otherwise.
“Well, the ADC, as it is currently constituted, if it goes for primaries a hundred times, Atiku will win a hundred times. There is absolutely no doubt about that. How Peter Obi and his supporters react is what will determine the election,” Ardo said.
“I am not saying that Peter Obi cannot be the candidate of the party; however, he can only be the candidate of the party if Atiku steps down,” he added.
Despite his position, Ardo acknowledged Obi’s political relevance and described him as a major asset to the ADC. He noted that the former Anambra State governor commands a large and loyal voter base across the country.
He said Obi’s popularity, which he estimated at over six million votes, is one of the reasons the ADC is keen on keeping him within its fold. According to Ardo, the party sees Obi as a strategic figure who can strengthen its chances in the next election.
Peter Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party, recently aligned with the ADC after months of consultations with party stakeholders. His move sparked wide reactions within opposition circles and among his supporters nationwide.
Obi formally addressed his supporters during a political gathering held in Enugu on December 31, where he explained the motivation behind his decision to join the ADC. He described the move as a fresh political journey aimed at national renewal.
The ADC has recently attracted several heavyweight politicians from across the country. Among them are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Senate President David Mark.
These political actors are part of a growing opposition coalition seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
As a result, the group adopted the ADC as its common platform last year in a bid to present a united front.
BREAKING: Tinubu Makes U-Turn, Cancels Ambassadorial Posting of Top Former Governor
BREAKING: Rivers Lawmakers in Fresh Trouble: Account For ₦350m or Face Action, 7-Day Deadline Given
JUST IN: PDP Senatorial Candidate Is Dead
These ’90s fashion trends are making a comeback in 2017
Former Super Eagles Star Loses Life Savings, Duped By A Pastor of ₦1.2 Billion
I’m A Married Man, I Can Never Get Myself Involved With Such A Thing, Delta Gov Aide Reveals Why He Offered Comfort ₦500,000 Job
-
News1 day agoBREAKING: Rivers Lawmakers in Fresh Trouble: Account For ₦350m or Face Action, 7-Day Deadline Given
-
Business2 days agoAfter Dangote, Another World Class Refinery to Be Built in Nigeria, CEO Confirms Location
-
News2 days agoJUST IN: PDP Senatorial Candidate Is Dead
-
News3 hours agoBREAKING: Tinubu Makes U-Turn, Cancels Ambassadorial Posting of Top Former Governor