Osun PDP Chair Insists Adeleke’s Re-election Is Secure Despite Member Defections

Sunday Bisi, the chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State, has downplayed fears that recent defections from the party to the All Progressives Congress (APC) could jeopardize Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election prospects in 2026.

In an interview on Wednesday, Bisi described the defections as “a storm in a teacup” and maintained that Adeleke enjoys robust support from the people of Osun. “Adeleke is doing well in terms of infrastructure and social programmes for the people of the state,” he said. “He has been delivering good governance, and people will appreciate him for that by re-electing him in 2026.”

The PDP has witnessed several high-profile defections in recent weeks, including Wole Oke, a current member of the House of Representatives for Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency, and Felix Ogunwale, a former senator for Osun Central. These defections have raised concerns within the party about the potential impact on Adeleke’s campaign.

Bisi, however, compared the defections in Osun to the more significant political shifts in other states, such as Delta, where the entire PDP structure moved to the APC. He said, “If you talk about defection, you can reference the movement of the Delta State governor and the entire PDP structure in that state to the APC. I acknowledge that as a real defection. The defections in Osun cannot affect us in any way.”

Despite the defections, the three PDP senators from Osun have endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term, adding complexity to the political dynamics. Still, Bisi remains confident that Adeleke’s governance record will secure a strong mandate from the electorate in 2026.