Osun Assembly Debunks Members Defection Rumour

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The Osun State House of Assembly has dismissed as speculative and misleading a report alleging that no fewer than 18 lawmakers are set to defect from the Accord platform.

In a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Olamide Tiamiyu, the Assembly described the publication as inaccurate and riddled with misinformation, insisting that no member is planning to leave.

The statement clarified what it described as a fundamental error in the report, noting that the lawmakers are members of Accord and not the Accord Party as stated.

According to the statement, “the Honourable members of the House are members of Accord and not the Accord Party as erroneously stated in the report,” adding that the mistake reflects “the confusion and misinformation that underpins the entire publication.”

The Assembly further rejected claims of internal crisis within the party, stating that recent developments have already addressed such concerns.

“It must be stated unequivocally that there is no crisis within the party. The recent publication by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of candidates for the forthcoming gubernatorial election has since put to rest any insinuations of internal instability or leadership uncertainty,” the statement said.

Responding to claims attributed to unnamed sources in the report, the Assembly dismissed suggestions of discontent and lack of direction among lawmakers.

Assertions such as “There is no clear leadership direction at the moment. The issue of who is in charge is still in court, and that uncertainty is affecting everyone” were described as baseless.

The statement added that such claims “exist only in the imagination of those intent on misleading the public.”

It also refuted allegations that lawmakers were reconsidering their positions due to dissatisfaction with the party’s structure.

The report had claimed that “they came into Accord expecting a cohesive structure, but what they met is a party battling itself in court.”

“However, the Assembly insisted that this narrative “does not reflect the reality within the party or among members of the Assembly.”

Addressing the reported resignation of the lawmaker representing Iwo State Constituency, Hon. Adesina Atanda Rabiu, the statement said the situation had been misrepresented.

“For the record, the Honourable member has since withdrawn his resignation, thereby nullifying any attempt to portray his earlier action as a sign of a wider crisis,” the statement noted.

The Assembly also denied claims that lawmakers representing several constituencies, including Olorunda, Ifelodun, Ifedayo, Ila, Ife South, Ife East, Aiyedire, Olaoluwa, Ayedaade, Ilesa East, Osogbo, Ede South, Orolu/Irepodun, Ife Central and Egbedore, were planning to leave the platform.

“No member of the House is defecting,” the statement stressed.

It further dismissed projections that the alleged defections could weaken the party or disrupt political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections, describing such suggestions as “conjecture presented as analysis.”

Reaffirming unity within the legislature, the statement maintained that the Osun State House of Assembly remained “one and united under the leadership of the Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun.”

It added that members are committed to their legislative responsibilities and the development of the state, undistracted by what it termed rumours and politically motivated fabrications.

The Assembly, however, urged the public to disregard the report in its entirety.