Twenty-five members of the Osun State House of Assembly have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the Accord Party, following the path taken by Governor Ademola Adeleke, who left the PDP for Accord in December 2025.
The lawmakers announced their defection on Friday, February 27, leaving only one opposition member in the 26-seat Assembly.
According to a statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Olamide Tiamiyu, the lawmakers took the decision during a parliamentary meeting before proceeding to formally declare for Accord in the presence of the governor and top party leaders.
“After the parliamentary meeting, they proceeded to the Banquet Hall to meet with the governor and top Accord Party leaders, where the formal declaration was officially made by the Speaker,” Tiamiyu said.
The lawmakers expressed their full backing for Governor Adeleke, who has been cleared by the Independent National Electoral Commission to contest the August 15 Osun governorship election on the Accord platform.
“They reaffirmed their unwavering support for the Governor, His Excellency Sen. Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, and their commitment to quality representation, transparency and responsive leadership,” the statement read.
“The defecting members also urged their supporters and well-wishers to remain steadfast and join them as they embark on this new political chapter,” it added.
Tiamiyu said the lawmakers had resigned from the PDP weeks earlier and that their decision to join Accord came after careful deliberation.
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“The members had resigned from the PDP weeks ago. After deep reflection and extensive consultations with supporters, political associates and key stakeholders, they resolved to align with Accord,” he said.
The lawmakers said their move was driven by a desire to ensure continuity in governance and accelerate development across the state.
“They further noted that their decision to join the governor’s party was aimed at ensuring continuity in governance and accelerating development for the people of Osun State,” the statement read.
Tiamiyu said the lawmakers were convinced that Accord offered a better political home for their aspirations.
“The lawmakers are convinced that Accord provides a more stable, inclusive and people-centred platform through which they can continue to serve the people of Osun State,” he said.
With the departure of 25 lawmakers including Speaker Adewale Egbedun, the Osun Assembly is left with just one opposition member, Femi Popoola of the All Progressives Congress.
The mass defection is another blow to the PDP, which has suffered a string of high-profile departures in recent months.
The party has lost governors, lawmakers, and key officials to the APC and other platforms, raising questions about its ability to remain a viable opposition force ahead of the 2027 elections.