Osun poll: Accord Party spent at least N40bn, Fayose replies Davido

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has asserted that the Accord Party spent no less than N40 billion during the Osun State governorship election held on August 15. Fayose made this claim in a video interview, directly challenging the assertion by Afrobeats singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

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Accord Party led the opponents. The money that went to that election from the Accord party itself cannot be under N40 billion. I stand to be corrected.

Davido, who is the nephew of the incumbent governor and Accord Party candidate, Ademola Adeleke, had previously alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) spent N110 billion on vote-buying. He also stated that the Accord Party did not spend money but relied on the support of the people of Osun State. Fayose, however, dismissed these claims, stating that both leading parties spent heavily and that election victories are not solely attributable to prayers or popular support.

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Secondly, on Monday, they sent over N7.5 billion to the various local governments. Various wards. The minimum for the wards that got the minimum would be about N35 million.

"The money that went to that election from the Accord party itself cannot be under N40 billion. I stand to be corrected," Fayose declared. He further alleged that more than N7.5 billion was distributed to various local governments and wards just days before the election, with wards receiving a minimum of N35 million. Fayose questioned the timing of this distribution, especially in light of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC) actions to freeze accounts, suggesting it indicated impropriety.

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The fact remains that both parties spent stupendously. They spent beyond the threshold like every other political party.

Fayose argued that both the Accord Party and the APC exceeded the legal spending thresholds for election expenditure. He also commented on the election results, noting that the margin of victory was significant, with the Accord candidate Adeleke winning by 66,252 votes. Fayose attributed a substantial portion of this margin to Adeleke's stronghold in Ede, suggesting that external alliances, like with Omisore, had little impact on the outcome in that area.

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The Adelekes are rooted in their hometown. Omisore or APC has no presence. So courting an Omisore or giving an Omisore the nomination, what would it change? Nothing.