The Accord Party has officially kicked off its campaign for the Ekiti State governorship election scheduled for June 2026. The party formally presented its Certificate of Return to its chosen candidate, Opeyemi David Falegan, at a ceremony in Abuja.
Ceremony and Endorsement at Party Headquarters
The presentation event was held on Tuesday at the national headquarters of the Accord Party in Abuja. The party's National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, was the one who handed over the certificate to Falegan. This act formalises Falegan's status as the party's flagbearer, a position he secured after winning the party's governorship primary held on 8 November 2025.
During his speech, Mgbudem praised Falegan's qualities, describing him as a candidate with "resilience, resourcefulness, integrity, and political sagacity." He told the gathering that the primary election results showed that party delegates wanted competence and effective leadership for Ekiti State.
Party's Confidence and Strategic Focus
Mgbudem expressed strong confidence in the party's chances in the upcoming election. "We shall gather again at the INEC office for the presentation of the Certificate of Return for his victory in the 2026 Ekiti State governorship election," he stated optimistically.
He also connected the Ekiti campaign to the party's broader national strategy. Mgbudem pointed to the recent defection of Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to the Accord Party as a momentum booster. He emphasised that the off-cycle elections in the Federal Capital Territory, Osun, and Ekiti are crucial for shaping the party's approach to the 2027 general elections.
The National Chairman gave clear instructions to Falegan regarding his campaign structure. He insisted it must be inclusive and focused on grassroots mobilization. "The campaign should be issue-based. We should maintain the highest democratic values, ethics, and ideals... We do not have time for frivolities and politics of bitterness," Mgbudem warned.
Falegan's Pledges and Critique of Incumbent
In his acceptance speech, Opeyemi David Falegan thanked the party delegates and immediately outlined his key campaign promises. His focus areas will be:
- Agriculture
- Education
- Youth Employment
- Infrastructure
He made two specific, quantifiable pledges. First, he promised to empower 1,000 youths every month, which would total 48,000 young people over a four-year term. "We don’t just want to create jobs; we want to create entrepreneurs," Falegan said, highlighting the high unemployment rate in the state.
Second, he vowed to repair Ekiti's major roads within his first six months in office, describing many existing roads as poorly connected death traps.
Falegan did not shy away from criticising the current administration led by Governor Biodun Oyebanji. He accused the state government of being run "by ex-governors, for ex-governors," suggesting a lack of fresh ideas and inclusive governance.
Next Steps on the Electoral Calendar
The presentation of the Certificate of Return is a key procedural step for the Accord Party. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had set the period for party primaries in Ekiti State between 20 October and 10 November 2025. The commission is expected to publish the final list of all candidates for the election on 19 January 2026.
With this formal endorsement, Opeyemi David Falegan and the Accord Party have now entered the active campaign phase, positioning themselves as a contender for the governorship seat in Ekiti State come June 2026.
