The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) in Osun State has declared its intention to form a coalition with other opposition parties to defeat incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke in the 2026 gubernatorial election.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Osun NNPP Chairman Tosin Odeyemi expressed the party's willingness to support any credible candidate capable of winning the election, regardless of party affiliation.
"No individual or political party can win the forthcoming election without the support of others. There is need for a broad coalition aimed at dislodging the propaganda-driven governance in the state," Odeyemi stated.
The NNPP chairman emphasized that the 2026 election is too critical to be approached with partisan considerations alone. He suggested that only a candidate with widespread popularity across party lines could secure sufficient support to win.
"If such individuals clinch the ticket, I can boldly say that 40 per cent of votes will come from PDP," Odeyemi claimed, hinting at potential defections from the ruling party due to alleged disillusionment among its members.
The Osun NNPP reaffirmed its readiness to either field its own candidate or support another party's aspirant with broad appeal. Odeyemi stated that integrity and cross-party recognition would guide their decision-making process.
He predicted significant defections from the ruling party to opposition platforms ahead of the election, claiming that many citizens now recognize that effective governance extends beyond propaganda.
PDP Dismisses Coalition Threat
In response, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) dismissed the NNPP's position, describing the party as structurally weak in Osun State.
Speaking through its spokesperson, Oladele Bamiji, the Osun PDP claimed that the NNPP lacks the reach and influence to affect election outcomes in the state.
Bamiji characterized Odeyemi's campaign as a "one-man show" with minimal impact, asserting that Governor Adeleke remains widely popular and is well-positioned to win re-election in 2026.
"Odeyemi should perish the thought of raising opposition against our performing governor. The governor has accomplished much and still enjoys the people's support," Bamiji stated.
The exchange highlights growing political tensions in Osun State as parties begin positioning themselves for the 2026 gubernatorial race, with opposition forces seeking to consolidate their strength against the incumbent administration.
