The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osun State has said it was unaware of another governorship primary reportedly conducted by a faction of the Accord Party in the state.
Reports emerged on Sunday, December 14, that a faction of the party held a separate primary election in Osogbo, which produced Bamigbola Clement as its candidate for the August 8, 2026 governorship poll.
The exercise, which reportedly began with the accreditation of delegates, was heavily guarded by armed police officers.
Bamigbola, who was the sole aspirant, later confirmed his emergence as the faction’s standard bearer.
However, INEC’s Public Relations Officer in the state, Musa Olurode, dismissed the claim, saying the commission was unaware of any such exercise.
“We have monitored the only Accord Party primary a few days ago. The report has been submitted. INEC is not aware of any other party’s primary,” Olurode said.
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Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier been declared winner of the official Accord Party primary held on December 10 in Osogbo, where he polled 145 out of 150 delegate votes to secure the party’s ticket for the 2026 election.
Reacting to the factional development, the state’s Accord caretaker chairman, Babalola Akande, described the parallel primary as illegitimate.
“This position is incontestable, irreversible, and firmly grounded in law,” Akande said
“Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke is the sole and legally recognised governorship candidate of the Accord in Osun State,” he affirmed.
He accused members of the faction of impersonation and vowed legal action.
“Our party will stop at nothing but to report him to the appropriate authorities, including the LPDC,” Akande warned.