Fresh developments emerged on Monday involving Rabiu Atanda, the lawmaker representing Iwo State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, who briefly resigned from the Accord Party but later retracted his resignation, reaffirming his support for Governor Ademola Adeleke.
A resignation letter allegedly from Atanda circulated on social media, though it lacked a date and signature, triggering widespread speculation.
Atanda, originally elected under the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections, had, along with 24 other lawmakers including Speaker Adewale Egbedun, recently defected to the Accord Party, pledging support for Adeleke’s re-election in the August 15 governorship election.
In the letter addressed to the Speaker, Atanda stated, “I hereby tender my resignation from the Accord Party, effective immediately. This decision is personal, and I’d like to keep the reasons to myself.”
However, hours later, Atanda appeared in a video alongside Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, and Speaker Egbedun, announcing the withdrawal of his resignation and confirming his continued allegiance to the Accord Party.
READ ALSO: 25 Osun Assembly Lawmakers Dump PDP, Join Adeleke In Accord Party
Speaking in Yoruba, he said, “I have withdrawn the letter of resignation that I earlier wrote and I want to state that I am still a member of the Accord Party and in full support of Governor Ademola Adeleke and I am ready to work for his re-election.”
As- Atanda’s Personal Assistant, Adewale Adigun, suggested that internal party issues had prompted the initial resignation, insisting that Atanda must secure the Accord Party ticket for Iwo State Constituency in the 2027 elections, or he would leave the party. Adigun wrote on Facebook,
“The video is under pressure and cannot stand the test of time. No going back. It is either the Accord Party hands over the Iwo State Constituency ticket or we move on.”
Attempts to reach Atanda directly for comment were unsuccessful, as calls and messages went unanswered at the time of filing this report.