Tension is building ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election following a claim that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will not be listed on the ballot.
The Chairman of the Accord Party in Osun State, Victor Akande, made the claim during a media briefing in Osogbo organised by the Veteran Journalists Association of Osun State.
Akande insisted that the PDP would not participate in the August 8, 2026 governorship election, describing the situation as clear and beyond contention.
“To the best of my knowledge, the umbrella will not appear on the ballot paper on August 8, 2026,” he said.
He also dismissed reports of internal crisis within the Accord Party, saying the party remains united despite controversies linked to its primaries.
“There is no faction in our party. Before Senator Ademola Adeleke joined us, there was no internal dispute. Those claiming factions should tell us where they were during our recent primaries in Ekiti and Anambra states,” Akande stated.
He alleged that the emergence of a rival faction coincided with Adeleke’s entry into the party, adding that the intentions of those behind it had become obvious.
“Why did a faction suddenly surface only after Ademola Adeleke joined? We know those sponsoring these so-called factions. One of their leaders even came out openly when their plans collapsed,” he said.
Akande further rejected claims that the Accord Party lacks electoral relevance, citing past victories and its current standing in national politics.
“You cannot label Accord a non-performing party. Former Oyo State governor Rashidi Ladoja once contested on our platform and won four House of Representatives seats and 18 House of Assembly seats. Today, we have a sitting governor. How can such a party be called non-performing?” he asked.
He revealed that the party has begun preparations for Adeleke’s re-election, noting that a statewide grassroots mobilisation structure is already in place.
“We have set up a grassroots mobilisation committee that will cover every part of Osun State. We are committed to ensuring massive support for Ademola Adeleke, the performing governor,” Akande said.
The PDP, however, rejected Akande’s claim.
The Osun PDP Caretaker Secretary, Seyi Bamidele, described the statement as false and misleading, insisting that the party has met all requirements to contest the election.
“How can a party with structures across Osun State be excluded from the August 8 governorship election? The PDP will be on the ballot. We have satisfied all necessary conditions,” Bamidele said.
He expressed confidence in the party’s chances, saying the PDP still enjoys strong grassroots support across the state.
“The people believe in our party. They will vote for us, and we will win the election,” he added.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the controversy followed the emergence of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the Accord Party’s governorship candidate in December 2025. Soon after, another faction conducted a parallel primary in Osogbo and announced Clement Bamigbola as its candidate.
The national leadership of the Accord Party later affirmed Adeleke as the party’s legitimate candidate for the Osun governorship race.
Before joining the Accord Party, Adeleke withdrew from the PDP just hours before its primary election. Despite his exit, the PDP went ahead with the exercise and produced Adebayo Adedamola as its governorship candidate.
