The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State has disowned reports of a factional governorship primary allegedly conducted by the Accord Party. The commission said it neither received notice of nor monitored such an exercise.
This clarification followed reports that a faction of the party held a primary election in Osogbo on Sunday. The exercise reportedly produced Bamigbola Clement as its candidate for the August 8, 2026, governorship election.
According to reports, the exercise began with the accreditation of delegates. Meanwhile, armed police operatives were present at the venue. Bamigbola emerged as the only aspirant presented to delegates.
“It is true. We had our primary, and I emerged the consensus candidate,” he said.
However, INEC Recognises Only One Accord Primary
However, INEC’s Public Relations Officer in Osun State, Musa Olurode, said the commission had no knowledge of the reported factional primary.
“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,” Olurode said.
As a result, the clarification has added to the controversy surrounding the party’s governorship ticket ahead of the 2026 election.
Earlier, Adeleke Emerged as Accord Candidate
Earlier, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, emerged as the Accord Party’s governorship candidate. The party conducted the primary in Osogbo, where Adeleke stood as the sole aspirant.
Subsequently, Abdulazeez Salaudeen, Secretary of the party’s electoral committee, announced the result. He said Adeleke secured 145 votes out of 150 accredited delegates drawn from the state’s 30 local government areas. Meanwhile, five votes were voided.
“The electoral committee has delivered on its mandate. After voting and counting witnessed by the agents of the candidate and the officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, having the highest number of votes, I declare Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke as the winner of the primary,” Salaudeen said.
In Contrast, Accord Party Rejects Factional Exercise
In contrast, the caretaker Chairman of the Accord Party in Osun State, Babalola Akande, rejected the reported factional exercise and described it as illegal.
While addressing journalists in Osogbo, Akande said the party does not recognise the organisers of the exercise. Therefore, he insisted that Adeleke remains the party’s lawful governorship candidate.
“This position is incontestable, irreversible, and firmly grounded in law,” he said. For emphasis, he cited the party’s constitution, the Electoral Act 2022, and judicial precedents.
Moreover, Akande warned institutions and individuals against recognising the factional group. He said the party would seek legal redress if necessary.
“For the final time, and for the sake of emphasis, by virtue of the valid primary election lawfully conducted on Wednesday, 10th December 2025, Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke is the sole and legally recognised governorship candidate of the Accord in Osun State,” he added.
