Adeleke’s Shock Defection to Accord and the Growing Political Apathy of Young Nigerians By Abioye Tosin Lawrence

The Osun 2026 gubernatorial race is fast becoming an eclipse of shifting allegiances, unexpected realignments, and simmering power battles. Amid all the defections reshaping the political atmosphere, the most startling transfer window is undoubtedly that of Governor Ademola Adeleke, who has crossed into Accord, the green-and-yellow party with the unmistakable thumb logo.

In recent months, few would have predicted that the political pendulum in Osun would suddenly swing toward Accord. Yet, the signs were there. Oriontimes had closely followed the party’s activities: from strategic meetings to grassroots mobilization. For the past 150 days, Accord stakeholders aggressively scouted for a viable gubernatorial candidate, working tirelessly to stabilize internal cohesion with support from national leadership.

But beyond Adeleke’s move lies a deeper conversation — the political lassitude of Nigeria’s younger generation. For all their online presence, they still appear to lack the decisive “ball sense” needed in real politics. They struggle to read the cursor of power, failing to translate digital influence into ground-level dominance.

Even with an incumbent joining the race under Accord’s umbrella, the truth remains: if a truly solid youth-driven political structure existed, Osun would be bracing for a tit-for-tat showdown. Instead, the state’s political destiny may again be determined in the final hour by seasoned actors.

Watching current developments, one thing is clear: nobody wants to be taken for granted. No politician wants to remain where their mandate is at risk of sabotage. And no one wants to operate under a one-man show. Politics, at its core, is a game of numbers and alliances.

What unfolds in the next Osun election will set a precedent for Nigeria’s general elections. So the question remains: why do young Nigerians still believe they lack power? Who convinced them that governance begins and ends on social media?

Until the younger generation learns to engage politics without losing their dignity, to resist monopolistic actors, and to build real structures beyond online noise,  democracy will continue to overlook their value.