Kareem Afolabi, a kinsman of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has defected to the Accord Party, declaring support for the Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed revealed that Afolabi alongside 15 other prominent APC leaders in the town and council area, formally embraced the Accord Party, describing the move as a decision driven by Governor Adeleke’s performance in office.
According to the statement, Afolabi noted that the group resolved to align with the governor because of what he described as visible progress across Osun State.
Afolabi, citing projects and programmes he claimed were transforming the state, said “The good performance of the Governor cannot be denied by friends or political enemies,”adding that “As an old political player, it is time for us to support a good leader when we see one.”
He also recalled his longstanding political relationship with the late Senator Ayoola Adeleke, father of the governor, whom he described as a frontline advocate for the creation of Osun State. According to him, the governor’s leadership reflects the pro-people legacy of his late father.
Afolabi further noted that the group’s decision was influenced by Adeleke’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu. He added that Iragbiji does not have a governorship candidate in the forthcoming election, saying “In the Osun election, Iragbiji has no governorship candidate. We choose to back a candidate who is serving Osun well.”
The state chairman of the Accord Party, Pastor Tolu Akande, described the defection as a significant blow to the APC in Boripe Local Government, calling it “a burial programme” for the party in the area. He assured the new members of fair and equitable treatment within the party.
Governor Adeleke thereby expressed gratitude for the endorsement and pledged to intensify efforts to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Osun.
“Serving the people honestly and making an impact as a leader are lessons learnt from our father,” the governor said, referencing the values instilled by his late father. “I promise to do more now and after re-election by the good people of Osun State.”
He however, welcomed the defectors, describing their decision as joining “the political light” spreading across party lines in the State of the Living Spring. Among party leaders and government functionaries present at the event were Senator Lere Oyewumi, Hon. Kamarudeen Ajisafe, Hon. Bunmi Jenyo, Hon. Sola Ajeigbe, and Hon. Kolapo Alimi.
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