APC poised to oust Adeleke in 2026, says ADP Reps candidate

…as he defects to APC with 10,000 supporters

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

Alhaji Moshood Kamal Okunola, the 2023 Action Democratic Party (ADP) House of Representatives candidate for Iwo Federal Constituency, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) along with over 10,000 supporters.

At a public declaration held at Osogbo Junction in Iwo, Okunola expressed confidence that the APC would replace the current Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, in the 2026 gubernatorial elections.

Speaking at the event, Okunola described his defection as marking “the end of the PDP in Iwo and Osun State as a whole.” He criticized the PDP-led government for its failure to govern effectively and advised the party against wasting state resources on a re-election campaign in 2026.

Okunola voiced strong dissatisfaction with Governor Adeleke’s administration, especially regarding the state’s infrastructure and the unequal distribution of resources.

He condemned the government’s failure to prioritize the rehabilitation of the Iwo-Osogbo road, accusing Governor Adeleke of neglecting the needs of other cities, such as Iwo, while favoring projects in his hometown, Ede, and in Osogbo.

Urging Osun residents to “speak with their votes,” Okunola rallied the electorate to vote the PDP out of office in the upcoming elections.

“Today marks a historic moment in the political landscape of Osun State,” he said. “We are embarking on a journey to end incompetent governance and restore the state’s core progressive values. By 2026, we will remove Governor Adeleke from office and reclaim the government house in Abere.”

Okunola further stated that although he had received offers from multiple parties, his alignment with progressive values made the APC the natural choice. He went on to criticize the current administration, saying, “The PDP has betrayed the trust of Iwo’s people and has become a government of preference. The flyover projects concentrated in Osogbo are misplaced priorities. Resources spent on just one flyover could have easily funded the Iwo-Osogbo road rehabilitation. Meanwhile, double-lane roads in Ede, the governor’s hometown, continue to receive attention, leaving Iwo marginalized.”

Additionally, Okunola condemned the state government for hindering local government autonomy, calling it an affront to Nigeria’s constitutional principles.

He was formally welcomed to the APC by the State Chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, alongside State Secretary Hon. Kamoru Olabisi, other state executives, Osun West party leaders, and the chairman of Iwo Local Government, Engr. Olaniyi Olasunkanmi.