Accord Party, INEC Distance Selves From Factional Primary

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…Reaffirm Governor Adeleke As sole Candidate

The Accord Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have distanced themselves from a purported factional governorship primary allegedly conducted in the name of the party in Osun State, describing the exercise as illegal and of no consequence.

The Osun State Chairman of the Accord, Pastor Babalola Akande, made this known on Sunday while addressing journalists in Osogbo, following reports that a group claiming to be party members held a parallel primary and announced a candidate for the 2026 governorship election.

Akande said the party’s leadership neither authorised nor recognised the said primary, stressing that those behind it are not known members of the Accord and lack the constitutional authority to conduct any congress or primary on behalf of the party.

He explained that the Accord had duly notified INEC and conducted its lawful governorship primary in line with the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act 2022, which produced Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke as the party’s candidate for the 2026 Osun governorship election.

According to him, “Let it be stated clearly, categorically, and without equivocation that all the actors being named in the end-year comedy, including one Mr Fanibe and Clement Bamgbola are not known members of the Accord. Fanibe, for instance, has been expelled from the party since 2018 for fraud and other acts inimical to the party’s unity, discipline, and progress. Such a character or any other in his shoes therefore possesses no authority whatsoever; moral, political, or legal, to convene, announce, or participate in any activity conducted in the name of the Accord.

“The Accord is not disturbed by this crude impersonation and political mischief. However, the public must know those being propped for this affront on our democracy are known APC affiliates acting as proxies in a desperate scheme targeted at undermining the overwhelming popularity and lawful candidacy of His Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, the people’s Governor.

“Let me state with absolute finality that Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke is the duly nominated and lawful governorship candidate of the Accord in Osun State. This position is incontestable, irreversible, and firmly grounded in law, having emerged through due process in accordance with the Constitution of the Accord, the Electoral Act 2022, and established judicial precedents.”

The party chairman reaffirmed that Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke remains the sole and legally recognised governorship candidate of the Accord in Osun State, insisting that no parallel structure or factional arrangement can alter the legal position.

Meanwhile, the Independent National Electoral Commission in Osun State said it was not informed of another primary reportedly conducted by a faction of the Accord Party in the state.

INEC’s Public Relations Officer in the state, Musa Olurode, said the commission was unaware of the parallel exercise.

He said, “We have monitored the only Accord Party primary a few days ago. The report has been submitted. INEC is not aware of any other party’s primary.”