The Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council has said the recent judgment of the Federal High Court concerning the Accord Party could have significant implications for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Head of its Media and Publicity Committee, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye, the council said the court’s decision derecognising the Accord Party and directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take necessary steps in compliance with the judgment poses a challenge to the governor’s political future.
The APC campaign council said it respected the authority of the court and acknowledged what it described as the far-reaching implications of the judgment on Adeleke, who is seeking a second term on the platform of the Accord Party.
According to the council, unless the judgment is set aside by a higher court, Governor Adeleke would be unable to contest the forthcoming governorship election under the Accord Party, a situation it said could also affect candidates seeking elective positions on the party’s platform.
The council further noted that there were pending litigations relating to the leadership crisis within the Accord Party at the national level, adding that the dispute over the authentic leadership of the party had yet to be resolved.
It argued that if the courts eventually rule in favour of a rival faction in the leadership tussle, the governor could face additional legal hurdles regarding his nomination as the party’s governorship candidate.
The APC campaign council blamed Adeleke for joining a party already embroiled in legal disputes, describing his current situation as a consequence of inadequate due diligence before aligning with the Accord Party.
While expressing mixed feelings over the development, the council said the governor’s possible absence from the ballot would deny Osun residents the opportunity to assess his administration through the electoral process.
The council accused the Adeleke administration of poor governance and alleged that residents had been subjected to economic hardship, challenges in the education and health sectors, and job losses affecting teachers, health workers and volunteers engaged under previous government programmes.
It also raised concerns over several projects and financial decisions of the administration, including the N99.5 billion Ede Airport project, the management of public revenue and the utilisation of federal grants received by the state government.
The APC campaign council maintained that the Adeleke administration would eventually be required to account for its stewardship in office, including decisions relating to public finances and governance.
It also referenced incidents of political violence in the state and called for accountability over the loss of lives recorded during the period.
The council, however, urged residents of Osun State to remain peaceful, vigilant and committed to democratic principles as preparations continue for the August 15 governorship election.
The statement reads, “The Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council has taken note of the judgment of the Federal High Court which derecognized the Accord Party and directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to take necessary steps in compliance with the decision of the court.
“The suit relied on provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 and INEC’s regulations, which were cited as reinforcing the constitutional requirements for party registration and continued existence.
As a political party that believes firmly in the rule of law and constitutional democracy, we respect the authority of the court and acknowledge the profound implications of this judgment on the political future of Governor Ademola Adeleke, who seeks re-election under the platform of the Accord Party.
“Unless and until the decision of the Federal High Court is set aside by a competent appellate court, Governor Ademola Adeleke will not be contesting the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State under the banner of Accord, a development which will equally impact on other nominations, state and national assembly, in the party.The tide is against the governor.
“Beyond the judgment delivered yesterday, we are aware that there remain pending litigations concerning the leadership tussle within the Accord Party at the national level.
“The crisis over the authentic leadership of the party is yet to be conclusively resolved.
Should the courts eventually decide in favour of the opposing faction in that dispute, Governor Adeleke may again find himself in an unpalatable legal situation. In such circumstances, INEC may be unable to recognize him as the validly nominated governorship candidate of the party. The result would be the same: Governor Adeleke would not be eligible to contest the election.
“These cases started long before the admittance of Adeleke into Accord. Unfortunately, because the governor failed to conduct due diligence before embarking on this journey to political Siberia, he has found himself in this self-induced limbo. And it is laughable that some bitter politicians, desperate to prove a political point, have chosen this time to join Adeleke in his political perdition.
“While many citizens of Osun State may view this development with mixed feelings, it is nevertheless disheartening that Governor Adeleke may escape the electoral judgment of the people at the poll.
“The governor’s absence from the ballot would deny the people of Osun State the opportunity to directly express their anger, disappointment and frustration over what has been widely perceived as four years of cluelessness, incompetence and administrative clumsiness.
“These are parents who have been subjected to severe financial hardship as they struggle to cope with exorbitant school fees running into as much as N1.5 million in institutions such as UNILESA and UNIOSUN.
“These are ordinary citizens who daily visit government hospitals and health centres only to discover the absence of essential drugs and medical supplies.
“These are the over 1,500 teachers and more than 500 health professionals who lost their jobs under the Adeleke administration.
“These are the over 20,000 O’YES and O’MEAL volunteers whose engagements were terminated, thereby worsening unemployment and economic hardship across the state.
“Even if Governor Adeleke escapes the verdict of the electorate because he is disqualified from the race, he cannot escape the long arm of justice and the inevitable demand for accountability. The questionable N99.5 billion Ede Airport project, which was awarded to fashion designers and interior decorators, will be revisited.
“The day of reckoning may be delayed, but it cannot be avoided.Governor Adeleke and members of his administration will be required to account for the monumental sleaze, waste and corruption perpetrated under their watch.
“They will be called upon to explain the circumstances surrounding the reported diversion of the N2 billion Federal Government grant earmarked for the procurement of buses for the state’s transport system.
“They will account for the payment of approximately N13.7 billion annually to ghost workers since 2023.
“They will account for the mismanagement of over N1 trillion in public revenue accrued to Osun State during their tenure.
“Ultimately, they will account for the tragic loss of lives recorded during their administration, including the killing of APC chieftain and leader in Irewole Local Government, Hon. Remi Abass, who was murdered within the premises of the Irewole Local Government Secretariat, as well as numerous APC members and supporters who lost their lives during the violent political activities that accompanied the emergence of Adeleke and elected members of his party.
“As events continue to unfold, we urge the people of Osun State to remain peaceful, vigilant and committed to democratic principles as the state moves steadily towards the August 15 governorship election.”
