The Osun State chapter of the Accord Party has firmly reiterated that Governor Ademola Adeleke remains the party’s only recognised candidate for the August 8 governorship election, dismissing reports of any alternative nominee as misleading.
Speaking to journalists in Osogbo on Thursday, the state chairman of the party, Victor Akande, described the alleged emergence of Clement Bamigbola as a candidate as inconsequential, stressing that no lawful process exists within the party to support such a claim.
Akande rejected suggestions of internal division, stating that there is no faction within the Accord Party capable of producing a rival flagbearer.
“What some people are calling a primary election was nothing more than a staged exercise by individuals who do not exist within our party structure,” he said. “By our constitution and legal framework, there is no faction, and therefore no parallel candidate.”
The party chairman noted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has a track record of disregarding similar attempts in other states, including Anambra and Ekiti, expressing confidence that the electoral body would adopt the same stance in Osun.
According to Akande, those promoting the idea of a factional candidate are merely seeking relevance and financial gain, insisting that Adeleke’s ticket remains uncontested.
“As far as Accord Party is concerned, Governor Ademola Adeleke is our flagbearer, and he has no challenger within the party,” he declared.
Turning to the opposition, Akande downplayed the chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, stating that the ruling party’s past performance in Osun remains fresh in the minds of voters.
He accused the APC of mismanaging the state during its previous tenure, particularly with policies that allegedly left workers struggling.
“The people of Osun have not forgotten how workers were paid half salaries under APC rule. That period was one of hardship, and the state will not go back to that,” he said.
Akande concluded by recalling the APC’s defeat in the 2022 governorship election, expressing confidence that voters would again reject the party at the polls.
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“The message from the people was clear in 2022, and in August, that message will be even louder. Osun has moved on and will not return to the dark days,” he added.
