African Democratic Congress chieftain, Dele Momodu, has thrown his weight behind Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term, despite belonging to a rival opposition party.

Momodu, in a statement on Tuesday, called on opposition parties to put aside their differences and support Adeleke in the August 15 governorship election.

The former presidential aspirant said he remained a “proud member” of the ADC, which he joined as part of efforts by opposition figures to build a coalition against the ruling All Progressives Congress.

“I joined ADC on the basis that prominent members of opposition parties in Nigeria decided to form a broad coalition of forces against the APC cankerworm that has almost destroyed our economy, social cohesion, religious tolerance and democratic institutions and separation of powers,” he said.

Momodu said he had hoped the coalition would bring together leading opposition figures, but acknowledged that the plan failed to materialise as expected.

“Unfortunately, it did not turn out to be so. But I still did not give up on the hope that Nigerians, not just the parties, would rise up massively against the APC menace,” he said.

Explaining his decision to back Adeleke, Momodu said the circumstances in Osun required opposition parties to unite behind one candidate.

“It would be foolhardy not to see that with the manner APC has turned Osun State into a theater of war, the only sensible strategy is for all opposition parties to align immediately and back the Accord Party candidate, Governor Ademola Adeleke.

“I make this declaration without equivocation, or any fear of contradiction,” he said.

Momodu said his endorsement was not based on personal ties, describing Adeleke as a “global phenomenon” capable of defeating President Bola Tinubu in a popularity contest.

He also praised the governor’s performance in areas including infrastructure, health, education, workers’ welfare, agriculture and youth development.

“Adeleke is primus inter pares amongst Nigerian Governors, in order of extraordinary performance in infrastructure, health, education, staff welfare, labour unions, IGR, agriculture, commerce, culture, women empowerment, youth integration, etc,” he said.

Momodu also urged opposition parties not to create an opportunity for electoral manipulation.

“We should never supply the APC an easy alibi to rig the Osun gubernatorial election on August 15, 2026,” he said.