Osun 2026: Akinbade Blames Adeleke’s Lack of Consultation for PDP Stakeholders’ Support for APC Candidate
Former Secretary to the Osun State Government, Alhaji Fatai Akinade Akinbade, has attributed the decision of some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stakeholders to support the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, to what he described as Governor Ademola Adeleke’s failure to adequately consult and carry them along in the affairs of his administration.
Akinbade made the disclosure on Monday while appearing on SABENKO, a political affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, where he discussed the political realignment ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
According to the former SSG, some of the stakeholders now supporting Oyebamiji had previously worked with Adeleke within the PDP and contributed their resources, experience and political support to his emergence as the party’s governorship candidate and eventual governor.
He alleged that the relationship became strained after Adeleke assumed office, claiming that the stakeholders were no longer sufficiently consulted on issues concerning the administration and the political direction of the state.
“Our ideas and experience were not sufficiently accommodated by the administration. Some of us had worked with Adeleke, supported him and contributed our own quota to the political process that brought him to government, so naturally we expected to be carried along,” Akinbade said.
He argued that the absence of adequate consultation and inclusion created a gap between the administration and some of the political stakeholders who had contributed to Adeleke’s rise.
Akinbade insisted that the realignment was not driven primarily by financial considerations, stressing that the stakeholders had invested their time, resources, experience and political influence in the political process.
“Our political realignment was not motivated by financial considerations. We invested time, money, experience and political capital in the political process that brought this administration to power. What we expected was participation, consultation and recognition of the contributions we made,” he said.
The former SSG described the development as a political response to what he called a breakdown in the relationship between Adeleke and some of his former supporters.
He also linked the emerging alliance to a broader political structure associated with the Tanimu Turaki camp, describing the development as part of the fluid nature of Nigerian politics.
“Politics is not static. Political actors can change their positions when circumstances change, and that is what has happened,” he said.
Akinbade, who said he had been involved in politics since the late 1990s and served under different administrations, maintained that his current position was based on years of political and governmental experience.
He dismissed suggestions that the realignment was simply a personal disagreement with Adeleke, arguing that political participation should involve consultation, inclusion and recognition of stakeholders.
He also rejected the argument that the political group would become irrelevant if Adeleke wins another term, describing politics as a “game of plus and minus.”
“Politics is a game of plus and minus. You cannot say that because somebody is in government today, everybody who takes a different political position has become irrelevant,” he said.
Akinbade expressed confidence in the chances of the political bloc backing Oyebamiji, saying Osun voters were politically conscious and capable of determining the outcome of the election through their votes.
Asked about Oyebamiji’s suitability for the governorship, Akinbade gave the APC candidate a strong endorsement, describing him as “even more than perfect” for the position.
“For me, Bola Oyebamiji is even more than perfect for the position. He has the experience, he understands the political terrain and I believe he has what it takes to govern Osun State,” he said.
He, however, stressed that his support for Oyebamiji did not mean he had to condemn the other candidates in the election.
Akinbade’s comments came shortly after former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, appeared on Eagle 102.5 FM’s Frontline programme, where he also expressed concerns about Adeleke’s handling of political relationships and stakeholder inclusion.
Oyinlola, alongside Akinbade and other PDP stakeholders, recently endorsed Oyebamiji ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The former governor similarly argued that the group had expected greater consultation and participation in the political process.
The positions expressed by Oyinlola and Akinbade have further highlighted the issue of stakeholder inclusion as a major factor behind the latest political realignment in Osun State, as the major contenders intensify efforts to secure the support of influential political figures and established party structures ahead of Saturday’s election.
