Governor Ademola Adeleke has been confirmed as the Accord Party’s governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun State governorship election after delegates unanimously endorsed him in a primary held on Wednesday in the state.
According to the party’s national organising secretary and chairman of the screening committee, Ibe ThankGod, all 150 accredited delegates participated in the primary.
While five of the ballots were declared invalid, the rest of 145 were counted as valid votes, all of which went to governor Adeleke, the party officials said.
Speaking to PREMIUM TIMES in a telephone interview, Mr ThankGod said although the governor was the only aspirant, the party maintained that its internal rules required a formal confirmation vote rather than an automatic ticket.
He said delegates were therefore required to validate his candidature, which they did unanimously, leading to his declaration as winner and presentation of the party flag.
“Being the sole candidate does not give you an automatic ticket. The delegates will also have to confirm you. So today the delegates overwhelmingly confirmed him as the flag bearer of Accord,” Mr ThankGod explained.
He added that the process which was transparent and unanimous had in attendance the deputy governor of Osun State, Kola Adewusi, the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, the Chief of Staff to the governor, Kazeem Akinleye, and other political office holders.
Key national leaders of the party were present, including the National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, who presented the certificate of return and victory to Governor Adeleke.
Mr Mgbudem said the primary confirmed Accord as a party of due process and internal democracy.
He described the emergence of Governor Adeleke as divine even as he expressed strong optimism that Governor Adeleke will resoundingly win his re-election.
The Osun State governorship election is scheduled to be held on 8 August 2026.
The governor announced his emergence as Accord’s candidate in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Wednesday.
With his emergence as the party’s candidate, Mr Adeleke has beaten the 15 December deadline fixed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for all political parties interested in the governorship poll to conclude their primaries.
He used the occasion to unveil an upgraded five point agenda for the 2026 race. According to Mr Rasheed, the five points are integrated citizens and workers’ welfare; infrastructure consolidation for economic prosperity; Increased agro-Industrial expansion for youth empowerment; innovations for health, education and social care; and Improved Business Environment for Job Creation.
“We are today launching the battle for continuity of progress, good governance and democratic dividends. My candidacy signals the sustenance of the golden movement when the light of development continues to shine across our state. We vow never to relent in the rewarding service to our people.
“We note today as the point of resolution never to go back to the dark days but to advance further into the journey of modernisation. For a long time, Osun has witnessed failed promises. In the last three years, we actualise the yearnings and aspirations of our people. Ours is a government of talk and do,” he said.
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