Osun lawmaker withdraws resignation from Accord hours after leaving party

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Fresh developments emerged on Monday regarding the lawmaker representing Iwo State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, Rabiu Atanda, who initially resigned from the Accord Party but withdrew the resignation a few hours later, reaffirming his support for Governor Ademola Adeleke.

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A resignation letter purportedly from Atanda, but without a date or signature, circulated on social media, prompting widespread reactions. Atanda was elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 general elections.

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Alongside 24 other lawmakers, including the Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, he had recently defected to the Accord Party, pledging support for Adeleke’s re-election in the August 15 governorship poll.

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In the letter addressed to the Speaker, Atanda wrote, “I hereby tender my resignation from the Accord Party, effective immediately. This decision is personal, and I’d like to keep the reasons to myself.”

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However, hours later, Atanda appeared in a video alongside the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, and the Speaker, Egbedun, announcing the withdrawal of his resignation and reiterating his support for Adeleke.

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Speaking in Yoruba, he said, “I have withdrawn the letter of resignation that I earlier wrote and I want to state that I am still a member of the Accord Party and in full support of Governor Ademola Adeleke and I am ready to work for his re-election.”

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Atanda’s Personal Assistant, Adewale Adigun, hinted at internal issues that prompted the initial resignation, insisting that Atanda must secure the Accord Party ticket for the Iwo State Constituency in the 2027 elections, or he will quit the party.

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Adigun wrote on Facebook, “The video is under pressure and cannot stand the test of time. No going back. It is either the Accord Party hands over the Iwo State Constituency ticket or we move on.”

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Efforts to reach Atanda directly for comment were unsuccessful, as calls went unanswered and messages remained unreplied at the time of filing this report.

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