The re-election bid of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has suffered a fresh political setback ahead of the August 15, 2026, governorship election following the endorsement of the Action People’s Movement (APM) candidate by a faction of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) loyal to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

The faction in the state led by former governor of Osun State, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, endorsed the 2026 gubernatorial candidate, national and state Assembly candidates, ahead of 2027.

It was learnt that the decision by the PDP faction to back APM was aimed at using the Osun governorship poll as a litmus test for the party to strategise ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Oyinlola, who met with the APM candidates at his residence in Okuku, dismissed reports of an alliance between Governor Adeleke’s Accord Party and the PDP, insisting that the latter formally collapsed its structure for the former during the emergence of Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, as the presidential candidate of APM.

It was also learnt that Makinde is mobilising support for APM candidate, Hon Adewale Adebayo, after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) failed to recognise the primary election of the faction.

A top source in the PDP faction disclosed that “Makinde is ready to mobilise more support for APM, he is talking with many more bigwigs in the party who are closer to Adeleke to work for APM for victory.

“You know Makinde has a presidential bid, and he is not leaving any stone unturned for the Osun State Election. He is not happy with the vote scored by the party in Oyo State; he wants to make a statement with Osun State. He is aiming for a victory for Adebayo.

Reacting to the development, APM gubernatorial candidate, Hon. Adebayo, boasted of winning the gubernatorial poll, saying the party is now enjoying the backing of the PDP structure.

He said: “If you look critically, the ruling party, Accord, African Democratic Congress (ADC), are family members to APC if you check their history. Adeleke used to be a dancer for APC, while Aregbesola left APC to ADC. APM is providing the people of Osun an alternative platform to govern the state.”

The media aide to Osun State governor, Olawale Rasheed, said that the adoption of the APM candidate by former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and other old PDP chieftains is the beginning of a partnership and collaboration that will soon unfold between the former governor and Governor Adeleke.

He said: “Grouping and regrouping are political processes. Governor Adeleke is in close touch with former Governor Oyinlola, Alhaji Fatai Akinbade and Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo. The partnership is what will contribute to the defeat of Bola Oyebamiji by Governor Adeleke on August 15.” Politics

Rasheed noted that the development will not have any negative impact on Governor Adeleke’s re-election.

“Governor Oyinlola has repeated his position all along in support of Governor Adeleke. The governor has repeatedly expressed his deep link and understanding with the respected prince. We are still in June, weeks away from the election day,” he added. (The Nation)