Accord Party elects another governorship candidate in Osun

From Lateef Dada, Osogbo

Pastor Babalola Akande, chairman of the Accord Party in Osun State, has vehemently denounced the recent governorship primary election purportedly conducted by individuals outside the party, labeling it an illegal act of electoral sabotage.

A few days after the emergence of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the governorship candidate of the Accord Party, a faction of the party conducted a parallel primary and elected Clement Bamigbola as its candidate yesterday.

Bamigbola emerged through a voice vote, after which the Chairman of the Primary Election Committee, Olufemi Ogundare, pronounced him duly elected.

Ogundare, alongside other party leaders, subsequently presented the party flag to Bamigbola, officially affirming his candidature under the factional leadership.

Speaking with newsmen at Imole house, campaign office of Governor Adeleke, the party’s chairman, Akande expressed concern over “reckless misinformation” and a “political charade” orchestrated by self-proclaimed members of the Accord party who are not recognized within its ranks.

He specifically called out individuals like Mr. Fanibe and Clement Bamgbola, asserting they have no legitimate connection to the party.

“Let it be stated clearly that all the actors involved in this end-year comedy are not known members of the Accord. Fanibe has been expelled from the party since 2018 due to fraud and behavior detrimental to the party’s unity.” Akande emphasised that such individuals lack the authority to conduct any activities on behalf of the Accord.

The chairman reassured the public, stating, “Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke is the duly nominated and lawful governorship candidate of the Accord in Osun State.”

Akande urged the people of Osun to ignore these distractions, attributing them to politically displaced actors attempting to undermine Adeleke’s established popularity.

He highlighted that the purported primary does not constitute a valid electoral process under the provisions set by the Electoral Act 2022, which designates that only recognised political parties can conduct legitimate primaries.

He issued a stern warning to any individuals falsely claiming candidacy under the Accord banner, stating such actions constitute electoral fraud, which is prosecutable under relevant laws. Akande also called on security agencies, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police Force, to recognize these imposter activities as illegal.

“In light of this, we are alarmed by the conduct of the Osun State Command of the Nigerian Police, who declined to acknowledge a notice dispatched regarding this illegality while allowing these fraudulent gatherings to proceed.”

Akande expressed intent to report individuals involved to the appropriate legal authorities, asserting that any recognition of such activities will carry legal consequences.

“By virtue of the valid primary held on December 10, 2025, Governor Adeleke is the sole and legally recognized candidate of the Accord.”