The internal feud within the Accord Party in Osun State has intensified after a faction nominated Clement Bamigbola as its governorship candidate, just days after Governor Ademola Adeleke was declared the party’s flag-bearer for the 2026 election.
Adeleke emerged unopposed on Wednesday through a primary conducted by the party’s national leadership. But a faction immediately rejected the process, claiming that Barrister Maxwell Ngbudem, who oversaw the primary, is not the legally recognised National Chairman of the party.
On Sunday, about 300 delegates from across Osun reportedly held a parallel primary at Regina Suite, Osogbo, and elected Bamigbola through a voice vote. Hon. Olufemi Ogundare, chairman of the factional primary committee, formally presented the party’s flag to Bamigbola.
The crisis follows Ngbudem’s suspension, which reportedly took effect on November 14, 2025, casting doubt over Adeleke’s candidacy. The faction’s actions have fueled speculation of internal sabotage against the governor’s ticket.
Earlier, the Accord Party in Osun accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating the parallel primary to destabilise the party. Pastor Victor Akande, the state chairman, said the move was aimed at creating “disunity, confusion and chaos” and alleged that the APC was sponsoring a member to pose as an Accord Party aspirant.
“Only processes recognised by the appropriate national leadership of the party are valid. Any primary or aspirant outside this process is invalid, null and void,” Akande said, urging security agencies and INEC to monitor the situation.
The APC dismissed the claims. Chief Kola Olabisi, the party’s director of media, said it had conducted its own primary and was not involved in the internal affairs of other parties.
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