In a highly significant political development ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election, Governor Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke led a delegation of Accord Party leadership and key Osun State government officials to the Iwo residence of Hon. Moshood Olalekan Adeoti on Thursday evening.
The visit came amid intensifying political realignments in Osun State, where parties and aspirants are positioning ahead of next year’s polls. While details of discussions remain largely private, political analysts and party sources suggest the engagement reflects Accord Party’s strategy to broaden its support base and secure alliances with influential political figures across the state.
Who is Moshood Adeoti?
Hon. Moshood Adeoti is a long-serving Osun political heavyweight and was Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG) throughout the eight-year administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola. In that period, he was widely regarded as one of Aregbesola’s closest allies and key organisers within the political structure associated with the former governor.
Adeoti was also the preferred candidate of Aregbesola and his loyalists for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship ticket in the 2022 primary, though he lost the contest to then-incumbent Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
Following the expulsion of Aregbesola’s faction from the APC, Adeoti and his associates jointly formed the Omoluabi Progressives caucus, which subsequently aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC). However, late last month Adeoti formally announced his withdrawal from the Omoluabi Progressives and from active participation in the ADC, citing personal and family reasons in a letter dated November 30, 2025.
Adept Political Operator: Why Accord Sees Value in Adeoti
Adeoti’s exit from the Aregbesola-aligned group has wider political ramifications, especially given his deep grassroots networks across Osun West Senatorial District and his historical role as an organiser in earlier governorship contests. His departure from the ADC followed reports that another leader, Dr. Najeem Salaam, was selected by the group for the ADC governorship primary, a move that reportedly frustrated Adeoti.
Political commentators note that having a figure of Adeoti’s stature — especially one with strong name recognition, local structures, and ties to various communities — could provide considerable leverage to any party seeking electoral traction. Accord Party, which is widely understood to be a preferred alternative platform for Governor Adeleke’s re-election bid amid internal tensions in other parties, appears to be moving swiftly to consolidate support from such influential actors.
Context: Adeleke’s Platform Search and Accord Party Positioning
Governor Adeleke recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) amid protracted internal crises and signs of factional breakdown. His political future has been the subject of intense speculation, with several parties — including the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC), and Accord — frequently cited as potential platforms for his re-election campaign.
Accord Party, in particular, has been touted as a likely vehicle for Adeleke’s 2026 bid. Reports indicate that the party has been engaging key stakeholders across the state to build a broader coalition ahead of its primary processes. Additionally, there are circulating accounts suggesting that Accord Party structures may have recently cleared Adeleke as a potential sole aspirant for the governorship ticket, signalling early alignment between the governor and the party’s apparatus.
Political Significance of the Iwo Meeting
For Governor Adeleke and Accord Party leadership, the visit to Adeoti’s residence is viewed as a strategic alliance-building exercise designed to:
Solidify support across political divides, particularly by engaging a prominent figure once associated with the former ruling faction in Osun.
Co-opt influential local structures ahead of the governorship campaigns, enhancing Accord’s grassroots footprint.
Deter rival parties, especially the APC, from gaining leverage with Adeoti’s networks now that he is not aligned with the ADC.
Political analysts believe that this outreach underscores the evolving dynamics in Osun politics, as parties and leaders recalibrate their positions in anticipation of a highly competitive election year.
Outlook
With electoral deadlines approaching and political loyalties increasingly fluid, the success of such engagements could have ripple effects on the 2026 Osun governorship contest. Adeoti’s public posture and potential role within Accord — whether formal or informal — will likely be closely watched as the state’s political landscape continues to shift.
