Osun Election: Accord Party Crisis Deepens As Factional Chairman Dumps Adeleke For APC

A faction of the Accord Party, led by its National Chairman and presidential candidate, Professor Christopher Imumolen, has withdrawn its support for Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of Saturday’s election.

Imumolen announced the decision on Thursday at the APC mega rally in Osun State, barely two days before the August 15, 2026, governorship election.

Speaking at the rally, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who represented President Bola Tinubu, said he had received information that the Accord faction had “thrown in the towel” and chosen to support Oyebamiji.

In a symbolic gesture, Imumolen removed the yellow cap associated with Accord in Osun and replaced it with an APC-branded cap, signalling his support for the ruling party’s candidate.

A video from the event also showed the discarded yellow cap being thrown into the air by an unidentified individual.

Declaring the faction’s new position, Imumolen said:

“As the national chairman of Accord Party, we have taken down our support for Ademola Adeleke and today, we declare our support for AMBO, Oyebamiji.

“Come on Saturday, all Accord members in Osun State should go to the polling units and vote for AMBO.”

He expressed confidence that Oyebamiji would emerge victorious in the election.

“By the 15th of August, AMBO will be sworn in as the governor of Osun State,” he declared.

Akpabio Assures Osun Voters Of Security

Addressing the rally, Akpabio conveyed President Tinubu’s greetings to the people of Osun and assured voters that adequate security arrangements had been put in place for the election.

“Feel free to go out and vote the candidate of your choice,” the Senate President said.

Akpabio also urged Osun voters to consider supporting the APC candidate in order to strengthen the state’s relationship with the Federal Government.

He said there was a need to “link the state with the government at the centre” to take advantage of opportunities available at the national level.

Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, who also addressed supporters, urged APC members to remain confident and mobilise voters for Oyebamiji.

He also cautioned party supporters against violence before, during and after the election.

Oyebamiji Promises People-Centred Government

The APC candidate, Oyebamiji, assured supporters that he would run an inclusive administration if elected governor.

He said his government would focus on improving the lives of residents and delivering governance centred on the people.

“The government of the APC that will be elected by the 15th of August, 2026, will be the government of the people, by the people and for the people.

“There’s no dancing again. I’ve a mandate with you, and the mandate is to touch the lives of the people of Osun,” Oyebamiji said.

Other prominent APC figures who attended the rally included the party’s National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Senator Adams Oshiomhole, former Osun State Governor Bisi Akande, and Senator Iyiola Omisore.