Barely four days after Governor Ademola Adeleke was pronounced sole contestant and final Governorship Candidate of the Accord Party in Osun State, a parallel congress on Sunday produced one Mr. Clement Bamigbola as its flag bearer.
Gov Adeleke Wins Accord Party Governorship Ticket, Vows To Keep Dancing Publicly
Adeleke earlier this month announced he was decamping from the embattled People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to Accord.
He was subsequently declared the Accord Governorship Candidate for Osun State in a primary election in which he had no rival and was sole competitor.
However, a splinter group in Accord reportedly conducted another “authentic” governorship primary election on Sunday, 14th December 2025, in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
The announcement on X said the parallel process held under the leadership of the “legally recognized” National Chairman, Professor Chris Imumolen.
The primaries held at Regina Suite Hotel, Osogbo, where accredited delegates, party officials, and observers attended.
The announcement said: “This development follows what party stakeholders have described as a kangaroo primaries allegedly conducted by Mr. Maxwell Ndubem, who claims to be the party’s national chairman but remains legally unrecognized. That exercise reportedly featured the participation of Governor of Osun State, His Excellency Ademola Adeleke, popularly known as the ‘Dancing Governor.’
“According to findings and internal party records, the Professor Chris Imumolen–led faction, which enjoys legal backing, has resolved to organize a lawful and constitutionally compliant primaries to ensure that Accord Party fields a valid and credible candidate for the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
“Party officials raised concerns over the eligibility of Governor Adeleke, noting that he was **not a member of the Accord Party until a few days before the disputed primaries. More critically, they argue that his alignment with a faction not recognized by law renders any ticket emerging from that exercise invalid and vulnerable to disqualification
“Speaking on the decision, Professor Chris Imumolen stated that the Osogbo primaries, holding at Regina Suite Hotel, are aimed at preserving the integrity of the party, safeguarding its constitutional rights, and ensuring that Accord Party does not lose the opportunity to present a legally valid candidate in the 2026 governorship race.
“’We are committed to due process and the rule of law. Accord Party must not be shut out of the 2026 election because of irregularities and illegality,’ he said.
“The party leadership emphasized that the Osogbo primaries represent the only lawful process capable of producing a candidate acceptable to INEC, warning that failure to correct the anomalies surrounding the disputed primaries could jeopardize the party’s participation in the 2026 gubernatorial election.”
