A former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has distanced himself from Governor Ademola Adeleke’s defection to the Accord Party, insisting he remains firmly in the Peoples Democratic Party despite the turbulence within the party.
Oyinlola, who spoke on Thursday at the second matriculation ceremony of Alolade Oyinlola College of Health Sciences and Information Technology, Okuku, Osun State, accused President Bola Tinubu of covertly stoking the PDP crisis to secure an easy path to re-election in 2027.
Adeleke had, earlier in the week, announced his defection from the PDP ahead of the August 8, 2026, governorship election, a development that has triggered ripples across the political landscape. But Oyinlola made it clear he would not follow suit.
“I won’t leave PDP unless it goes into extinction. I am not following Demola to Accord (Party). At my age, I can’t be pushed around. I’m gradually leaving active politics. I will be 75 in February (2026),” he said.
Speaking further, the former military administrator of Lagos State alleged that the internal wrangling in the PDP would have been resolved but for what he described as Tinubu’s interference.
“He sees PDP as a major challenge poised on his 2027 ambition. He doesn’t want to run, he wants to walk into the Villa,” Oyinlola declared.
Efforts by *The Nation* to obtain responses from the Presidency and the All Progressives Congress spokesman, Felix Morka, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages were not returned.
At the matriculation ceremony, where about 90 students were formally admitted, Oyinlola—who also owns the institution—shifted focus from politics to academics, reiterating the school’s commitment to producing competent health and information technology professionals.
“This institution is built on the core belief that quality health education and sound information management are essential pillars for sustainable development in Nigeria,” he said.
He urged students to take their studies seriously, engage their lecturers and uphold values such as integrity, compassion and responsibility, noting that careers in health and information management demand strong character as much as technical skill.
Earlier, the Chairman of Council, Prof. Sola Akinrinade—represented by Dr. B. O. Oginni—commended Oyinlola for creating an environment conducive to learning and for employing qualified staff.
Akinrinade cautioned the students against using social media in ways that could tarnish the school’s reputation.
“Do not use social media to demarket your College… When you see unexpected things, please report to the College authorities,” he said.
