Adeleke Flags Off Re-Election Campaign Tuesday, Welcomes 10,000 Defectors
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
Governor Ademola Adeleke will formally launch his re-election campaign on Tuesday, June 16, 2026, as political stakeholders, party supporters and residents gather in Osogbo for the commencement of activities ahead of the August governorship election in Osun State.
The campaign flag-off, organised by the Imole Campaign Council (TICC), is scheduled to hold at Freedom Park, Osogbo, from 10 a.m.
According to a statement issued by the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the council, Rep. Bamidele Salam, the event will mark the beginning of the governor’s bid for a second term in office and provide an opportunity to highlight the achievements of his administration over the last three and a half years, as well as its plans for the future.
The campaign is themed “Imole Carry On Accordingly.”
A major highlight of the event will be the formal reception of more than 10,000 defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC), African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other political parties into the Accord political family.
The statement said some of the defectors include former members of the National Assembly and Osun State House of Assembly, former commissioners, special advisers and other prominent political figures who recently left their former parties.
Many of the defectors, according to the council, previously served in the State Executive Council during the administration of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
Among those expected to lead the influx of new members is the Chairman of the APC Elders Forum in Boripe Local Government, Alhaji Kareem Afolabi, who is said to be bringing more than 1,000 supporters from Osun Central Senatorial District into the Accord fold.
Also expected at the event is former Secretary to the State Government under the administration of former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, Alhaji Mashood Adeoti, who will reportedly lead thousands of members of the African Democratic Congress into the party.
The event will also feature endorsements of Governor Adeleke’s second-term bid by workers’ unions, professional bodies, artisan groups, socio-cultural organisations, associations and other interest groups across the state.
The campaign council said the endorsements reflect growing support for the administration’s programmes and policies.
Salam called on residents of the state, supporters and members of the public to participate in the event.
“We invite members of the media, supporters, lovers of good governance and the general public to join us on this momentous occasion as we set the stage for the continuity of good governance, infrastructural development, economic growth, improved welfare of the people and shared prosperity in Osun State,” he said.
Political observers expect the event to serve as a major rallying point for supporters of the governor ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
This version follows a standard newspaper format, removes press statement language, and attributes opinions and claims through quotations and reported speech.