Fresh turmoil hits Osun politics as the Accord Party crisis worsens, with a faction unveiling Clement Bamigbola as governorship candidate for 2026.
The internal rift rocking the Accord Party in Osun State has taken a dramatic turn, as a faction of the party on Sunday announced Clement Bamigbola as its governorship candidate for the 2026 election, escalating the Accord Party crisis.
This development came barely days after Governor Ademola Adeleke was presented as the party’s flagbearer, following a primary election in which he reportedly emerged unopposed.
His emergence was initially portrayed as a consensus decision, with party officials insisting that due process was followed.
However, the calm was short-lived. A rival faction within the party openly rejected Adeleke’s candidacy, disputing the authority under which the primary was conducted.
According to the group, the leadership that supervised the exercise lacked legal recognition, a disagreement that has now pushed the Accord Party crisis into the public spotlight.
Determined to assert its position, the faction organised a separate governorship primary on Sunday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
The exercise, held at Regina Suite, reportedly drew about 300 delegates from various local government areas across the state.
At the end of the exercise, Clement Bamigbola emerged as the preferred candidate through a voice vote by the delegates.
The chairman of the primary election committee, Hon. Olufemi Ogundare, announced Bamigbola as the faction’s governorship standard-bearer, describing the process as transparent and reflective of the delegates’ will.
Shortly after the declaration, party leaders aligned with the faction formally handed over the Accord Party flag to Bamigbola, symbolising his endorsement for the 2026 governorship race.
The move, observers say, has further entrenched the Accord Party crisis, creating uncertainty over the party’s future direction in Osun State.
Political analysts note that the existence of parallel candidates could weaken the party’s chances unless the dispute is resolved quickly.
Attention is now expected to shift to electoral authorities and the courts, as both camps seek official recognition.
As preparations for the 2026 election gather momentum, the unfolding Accord Party crisis underscores the growing tension within opposition parties in Osun State and raises questions about unity, leadership legitimacy, and internal democracy.
For now, the Accord Party faces a critical test: reconcile its factions or risk being consumed by a deepening Accord Party crisis that could redefine its political relevance in the state.
