A Facebook post by Honourable Oluwole Oke, a member of the House of Representatives representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, has stirred fresh political debate in Osun State following Governor Ademola Adeleke’s defection to the Accord Party ahead of the August 8, 2026 governorship election.
Oke, a former stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who recently defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), took to his verified Facebook page to dismiss the Accord Party’s electoral prospects in the state. In the post, he wrote:
“Any vote for Accord Party in Osun State come August 8th 2026 Gubernatorial election is a waste. AMBO Congratulations.”
The remark, which quickly gained traction online, has drawn reactions from political stakeholders across party lines, further underscoring the intensifying political realignments in the state.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, who was elected on the platform of the PDP in 2022, officially resigned from the party in November 2025 amid lingering internal disputes and factional crises. He subsequently joined the Accord Party, which promptly adopted him as its candidate for the 2026 governorship race.
Accord Party leaders have defended the governor’s move, insisting that the party offers a credible alternative to the dominant APC and PDP. The party has also dismissed reports of internal divisions, reaffirming Adeleke’s candidacy as legitimate and uncontested.
Hon. Wole Oke’s comment comes weeks after his own defection from the PDP to the APC, a move that shocked many of his long-time supporters. Oke, who had spent over two decades in the PDP, cited irreconcilable differences and leadership issues within the party as reasons for his exit.
Since his defection, Oke has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of his former party and its key figures, including Governor Adeleke.
The PDP in Osun State has strongly criticized Oke’s statement, describing it as provocative and dismissive of the governor’s popularity among the electorate. Some party leaders have accused the lawmaker of attempting to curry favor within the APC by publicly attacking Adeleke.
Political analysts note that Oke’s comment reflects the broader struggle to control political narratives ahead of 2026, as Osun State appears set for a fiercely contested election involving the APC, PDP, and a reinvigorated Accord Party.
With less than a year to the governorship election, defections and public exchanges among political heavyweights are expected to intensify. Observers say the coming months will test the strength of third-party movements like Accord, as well as the ability of the major parties to retain their traditional voting blocs.
As the political temperature rises, Hon. Wole Oke’s blunt declaration may prove to be one of many flashpoints in what is shaping up to be a defining contest for Osun State’s political future.
