Accord says the Osun governorship election will test INEC’s readiness for 2027, backs Governor Ademola Adeleke and urges voters to reject vote buying.
The Accord Party has declared that the forthcoming Osun State governorship election will serve as a major indicator of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) preparedness for Nigeria’s 2027 general election, urging the electoral body to conduct a transparent, credible and hitch-free exercise capable of restoring public confidence in the country’s electoral process.
With political activities gradually gathering momentum ahead of the next general election, the party said the August 15 governorship poll has become more than a state election.
According to Accord, the outcome of the exercise and the manner in which it is conducted will shape public perception of INEC’s ability to organise future nationwide elections.
The position was made known by the National Chairman of the Accord Party, Maxwell Mgbudem, in a statement where he described the Osun election as a defining moment for the electoral commission.
According to him, Nigerians expect INEC to demonstrate significant improvements in election management by ensuring timely deployment of personnel and materials, efficient use of technology and strict compliance with the Electoral Act.
He urged the commission to thoroughly test all electronic devices and election materials before deployment, warning that avoidable technical failures or logistical shortcomings could undermine the credibility of the exercise.
Mgbudem said the commission must seize the opportunity presented by the Osun election to strengthen public trust in the electoral process.
"The Osun governorship poll is a litmus test of INEC's readiness for the 2027 general election. There should be no excuse for poor performance or any form of glitches.
The commission should ensure that all electoral materials are properly tested because Nigerians expect a free, fair, transparent and inclusive election," he stated.
He added that the credibility of the electoral commission remains at stake, noting that the election offers another opportunity for INEC to reassure Nigerians of its commitment to conducting credible polls.
Political observers believe the Osun governorship election is one of the country’s most closely watched off-cycle elections because it comes barely months before preparations for the 2027 general election intensify.
The conduct of the exercise is therefore expected to influence public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral system and shape expectations for future polls.
The Accord Party also appealed to security agencies participating in the election to remain professional and politically neutral throughout the process.
It stressed that security personnel should focus on protecting voters, election officials and electoral materials without interfering in the democratic process or creating an atmosphere capable of discouraging voter participation.
According to the party, the credibility of any election depends largely on the protection of the ballot and the confidence of voters that every lawful vote will count.
Mgbudem said preserving the sanctity of the ballot remains essential for strengthening democracy and sustaining public confidence in electoral institutions.
Beyond its appeal to electoral authorities, the Accord Party reaffirmed its support for the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke, describing his administration as one that has delivered meaningful development across several sectors of the state’s economy.
The party said Adeleke’s government has recorded measurable progress in road infrastructure, education, healthcare delivery, security, workers’ welfare and the provision of social amenities aimed at improving the living conditions of residents.
It further described the governor as a compassionate and people-oriented leader whose inclusive style of governance has earned him widespread support across different parts of Osun State.
According to the statement, many communities have benefited from developmental projects and programmes initiated by the administration despite the financial and political challenges encountered since it assumed office.
Accord also argued that Adeleke continued implementing development initiatives even while facing difficulties arising from the alleged withholding of local government allocations, a situation the party said affected grassroots governance but did not stop the administration from pursuing its developmental agenda.
The party maintained that the governor’s performance under those circumstances demonstrates resilience, prudent leadership and commitment to improving the welfare of the people.
As the election approaches, Accord urged eligible voters to resist every form of inducement and reject politicians who attempt to influence electoral outcomes through vote buying.
The party warned that selling votes for temporary financial gain weakens democracy and often produces leaders who feel little obligation to serve the interests of the people after assuming office.
It advised citizens to protect the future of the state by voting according to conscience, competence and the credibility of candidates rather than immediate material benefits.
Accord also encouraged political parties and candidates to focus on issue-based campaigns by presenting practical solutions to the challenges confronting the state instead of engaging in practices capable of undermining the integrity of the electoral process.
While reiterating its confidence in Governor Adeleke’s leadership, the party expressed optimism that the Osun governorship election would further strengthen Nigeria’s democracy if conducted in accordance with the law and accepted standards of transparency.
As of the time of filing this report, INEC had not publicly responded to the Accord Party’s remarks.
However, the electoral commission has consistently maintained its commitment to conducting free, fair and credible elections across the country.
With less than two weeks to the governorship election, attention remains fixed on Osun State, where political parties, election observers and millions of Nigerians will be watching closely to see whether the poll lives up to expectations and sets a positive benchmark for the 2027 general election.
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