- Safiu Kehinde
The National Coordinator of the Accord Party, Rev. Isaac Adeniyi, has backed the candidacy of Osun state governor, Ademola Adeleke, ahead of the 2026 governorship election in the state.
Adeniyi declared his support for Adeleke while distancing the party from a statement credited to its former presidential candidate, Chris Imumolen, who described the defection of the Osun State governor as a “back door entry,” declaring it invalid.
Recall that Adeleke’s emergence as the Accord Party’s flagbearer had been countered by the Imumolen-led faction of the party who conducted a parallel primary election last week with Clement Bamigbola emerging as its candidate.
Reacting to the development in a statement issued on Monday, Adeniyi dissociated the party from Imumolen’s faction while also urging members of the public to disregard the faction.
He held that the Accord former presidential candidate does not represent the party.
“The Accord Party, attention has been drawn to a statement credited to one Chris Imumolen criticizing Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, for defecting to our great party.
“Accord disassociates our party from the reckless statements of the said Imumolen.
“Let it also be known that in trying to display his ignorance to challenge the legitimacy of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory at the Accord Party’s primary, Imomulen hurriedly went to organize a Kangaroo primary elsewhere in Osun State, unknown to the public, proclaiming himself as National Chairman and his disguised National Working Committee members. The actions of Imumolen are illegal, null and void.
“The General public is warned not to associate themselves with Imumolen’s group as he and his group do not represent the party in any capacity whatsoever. We equallycall on the INEC to discountenance this group.” He stated.
Adeniyi said the Accord Party commended INEC for recognising Adeleke as the legitimate candidate of the party.
He added that Adeleke was duly registered at his ward as a member of the Accord party, and he collected the nomination form.
“The party’s primary was conducted and witnessed by INEC officials, as he was subsequently elected as Accord flag bearer. Also, the Accord constitution stipulates that the party ticket should be given to a sole candidate in the absence of any other contestants.
“Finally, we congratulate Governor Adeleke for emerging as the Governorship candidate of the Accord party. Those sponsoring Imumolen know for sure that Governor Adeleke will emerge victorious in the forthcoming Osun Governorship election.
“The other political parties should put their leaking umbrella and the scattered broom in Osun State in order. There is no killing the beetle, Imole is sure of victory.” Adeniyi stated.