The Accord Party faction led by Chris Imumolen has withdrawn its support for Ademola Adeleke, the party's candidate in Osun State, ahead of the 15 August governorship election. Imumolen, a professor, announced the faction's endorsement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, during the APC mega rally in Osogbo on Thursday.
Factional Chairman Declares Support for APC
Speaking at the rally, Imumolen said, "As the national chairman of Accord Party, today, members of my committee are all here. We have stepped down our support for Ademola Adeleke, and today we declare our support for Ambo." He directed all Accord Party members in Osun State to vote for the APC candidate on election day.
"Come on Saturday, all Accord Party members in Osun State should go to the polling units to vote for Ambo," he added.
INEC Recognition and Candidate Withdrawal
The Imumolen-led faction is not recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The commission recognises the NWC led by Maxwell Mgbudem. INEC cleared 16 candidates for the off-cycle governorship poll, but the APGA candidate, Adesina Adeyemi-Doro, withdrew from the race to support the APC candidate, leaving 15 candidates on the ballot. His name remains on the ballot despite the withdrawal. The SDP candidate, Francis Olugbenga, was added to the ballot on Wednesday.
President Tinubu Responds
President Bola Tinubu, represented by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, congratulated the APC candidate and expressed confidence in an APC victory. He urged Osun residents to vote en masse, assuring them of a peaceful election. "What has happened here is enough to say congratulations to all of you. Nobody will surround you, nobody will intimidate you. Osun is going to have a very peaceful election. We are not violent," he said.
Tinubu also criticised Governor Adeleke's performance over the past four years, saying he should have achieved more. He urged Oyebamiji to develop the state's infrastructure immediately after swearing-in, stressing that governance should be taken seriously rather than reduced to "social media paparazzi."
The PDP, Adeleke's former party, is not fielding a candidate due to a leadership crisis at the national level. Adeleke joined the Accord Party in December last year.
