INEC says it did not recognise parallel Accord Party primary in Osun
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State has stated it was not informed about a separate primary reportedly held by a faction of the Accord Party. The parallel exercise, which produced Bamigbola Clement as a candidate for the August 8, 2026 governorship election, was not monitored by the commission. INEC officials confirmed they only recognised the earlier primary where Ademola Adeleke emerged as the party's candidate. Party leaders have called on the public to disregard the factional primary and affirmed Adeleke’s candidacy.
Key takeaways
- INEC said it was unaware of the Accord Party factional primary held in Osogbo on June 9, 2025.
- The commission only monitored and recognised the primary where Ademola Adeleke emerged as the candidate.
- Bamigbola Clement was declared the consensus candidate in the parallel primary, but party leaders dismissed the process as illegitimate.
- Accord Party’s caretaker chairman, Babalola Akande, insisted that Adeleke remains the lawful candidate, citing due process and party constitution.
- The party warned institutions against recognising the factional candidate, threatening legal action to protect its rights.
