A faction of the Accord Party led by former presidential candidate Professor Chris Imumolen has launched a sharp criticism against the Independent National Electoral Commission for disowning its governorship primary in Osun State, insisting it fully complied with all legal requirements.
In a statement issued on 15 December 2025 by National Secretary Muktar Abdalla, the faction claimed it submitted proper notification to INEC headquarters for the primary that produced Bamigbola Clement as its candidate for the 8 August 2026 Osun governorship election. The group attributed INEC’s denial to internal administrative lapses, stating clear evidence of acknowledgement exists.
The faction further accused the electoral body of ignoring a subsisting court order that recognizes Imumolen’s leadership, warning that taking sides in the ongoing dispute could undermine institutional credibility. It called on INEC to improve its documentation processes and adhere strictly to judicial pronouncements. The matter is scheduled for a court hearing on 8 January 2026.
INEC, through its Osun State Public Relations Officer Musa Olurode, maintained it only monitored and recognized the primary conducted on 10 December 2025, which produced incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke as the party’s flagbearer. Reports from multiple sources confirm INEC officials were neither present nor aware of any parallel exercise held days later.
The opposing faction within the Accord Party, aligned with figures like Rev. Isaac Adeniyi and caretaker chairman Babalola Akande, has dismissed the Imumolen-led primary as illegitimate and unauthorized. They have reaffirmed Adeleke as the party’s sole candidate. Adeleke, who defected from the Peoples Democratic Party amid internal crises, emerged unopposed in the INEC-recognized primary with 145 valid votes.
This dispute stems from a prolonged leadership crisis within the Accord Party, involving rival claims between Imumolen and other factions, with prior court judgments and ongoing litigation complicating the recognition process. As preparations for the 2026 Osun governorship election intensify, the controversy highlights significant challenges in party cohesion and electoral oversight.
The resolution may ultimately depend on judicial outcomes, which will be crucial in ensuring only lawful candidates proceed while maintaining public trust in Nigeria’s democratic processes.
