Accord backs Adeleke, challenges INEC over Osun governorship poll

The national leadership of Accord has endorsed the re-election bid of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, urging residents to vote massively for him in the August 15 governorship election, while placing the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies under pressure to deliver a credible poll.

The party said Adeleke’s record in office had earned him another term, insisting that his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education, healthcare, workers’ welfare and security positioned him for what it described as a “landslide victory.”

Accord National Chairman, Barr. Maxwell Mgbudem, made the appeal in a statement issued on Monday.

He described Adeleke as “a man of the people” whose inclusive style of governance had improved the welfare of residents.

According to him, “Governor Adeleke has accelerated the development of Osun State and deserves re-election to complete his people-centred projects and deliver more dividends of democracy to the people.”

Mgbudem argued that the governor recorded notable achievements despite what he called attempts by “anti-democratic forces” to frustrate his administration through the withholding of local government allocations.

He said the August 15 election offered Osun voters an opportunity to reward what he termed good governance by returning Adeleke for a second term.

The Accord chairman also called on INEC and security agencies to remain neutral before, during and after the election, warning that the credibility of the exercise would depend on the integrity of the electoral process.

“The sanctity of the ballot box gives credibility to an election. Every vote must be counted and count in the overall result, while the people’s mandate must be respected,” he said.

He warned voters against selling their votes, describing vote buying and inducements as “a mess of electoral porridge” capable of mortgaging the future of the state.

Mgbudem maintained that no serious political party or candidate should engage in vote trading, urging citizens to reject all forms of inducement at the polls.

The Accord chairman further described the Osun governorship election as a critical test of INEC’s preparedness for the 2027 general election.

“There should be no excuse for poor performance, including any form of glitches. All eyes are on INEC to conduct a free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive election,” he said.

He added that the commission had another opportunity to strengthen public confidence in the electoral process by ensuring that the Osun poll reflected the true wishes of the electorate.