Osun poll: Factional Accord Party chair endorses APC gov candidate Oyebamiji

In a significant political maneuver ahead of the Osun State governorship election, a factional leader of the Accord Party has publicly withdrawn the party's support for the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke. Professor Christopher Imumolen, the Accord Party's presidential candidate and National Chairman, declared his party's endorsement for Bola Oyebamiji, the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

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As the national chairman of Accord Party, we have taken down our support for Ademola Adeleke and today, we declare our support for Ambo (Oyebamiji). Come on Saturday, all Accord members in Osun State should go to the polling units and vote for Ambo.

Imumolen made this declaration on Thursday during a massive APC rally in Osun State. Senate President Godswill Akpabio, representing President Bola Tinubu, highlighted the Accord Party's shift, stating they had "thrown in the towel" and now supported the APC candidate. To symbolize this allegiance, Imumolen removed his Accord Party cap and donned the APC's, a gesture that was met with cheers and the cap was later flung into the air by an unidentified attendee.

"As the national chairman of Accord Party, we have taken down our support for Ademola Adeleke and today, we declare our support for Ambo (Oyebamiji)," Imumolen announced. He urged all Accord Party members in Osun State to vote for Oyebamiji on Saturday, predicting his inauguration as governor on August 15. Akpabio assured residents of adequate security during the election, encouraging them to vote freely and to "link the state with the government at the centre."

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Feel free to go out and vote the candidate of your choice. We need to link the state with the government at the centre.

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq also urged party faithful to support Oyebamiji and cautioned against election-related violence. Oyebamiji promised an inclusive APC government focused on improving the lives of Osun residents. The rally was attended by prominent APC figures, including the party's national chairman and governors from Lagos and other states.

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The government of the APC that will be elected by the 15th of August, 2026, will be the government of the people, by the people and for the people. There’s no dancing again. I’ve a mandate with you, and the mandate is to touch the lives of the people of Osun.