Gov. Ademola Adeleke of Osun has said that his emergence as the candidate of the Accord Party for the Aug. 8, 2026 governorship election in the state signals the sustenance of what he called the golden movement.
Adeleke, the sole aspirant of the Accord Party, polled 145 votes out of 150 cast during the party’s primary, monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Wednesday in Osogbo.
The chairperson of the Electoral Committee, Mrs Mariam Saleh, who announced the result, said that five votes were invalid.
Saleh, represented by the secretary of the committee, Mr Abdulazeez Salaudeen, said that the primary was conducted in line with the party’s guidelines.
“I hereby declare Gov. Ademola Adeleke as the candidate of the Accord Party for the coming Aug. 8, 2026 governorship election in the state,” she said.
Saleh urged party members to leverage the primary’s smooth conduct as proof that the party offers the strongest platform for aspiring politicians.
“Our candidate is a man of honour, integrity and strength to win the governorship election.
“The Accord Party remains a stronghold, and we will continue to expand in the political space of the country.
“We must all support the party to emerge victorious in the coming election,” she added.
The national chairman of the party, Mr Maxwell Ngbudem, presented the party’s certificate of return to Adeleke as the flag bearer.
Ngbudem appreciated the electoral committee and the INEC for monitoring the primary.
He expressed optimism that the party would emerge victorious in the coming election.
In his acceptance speech, Adeleke thanked the party and the electoral committee for conducting a peaceful primary.
The governor urged all the party’s supporters and the electorate in the state to cast their votes for the Accord Party in the election.
“It is with a deep sense of appreciation to the delegates and to Almighty God that I accept my nomination and election as the governorship candidate of the Accord Party for the 2026 governorship election.
“My candidacy signals the sustenance of the golden movement, as the light of development continues to shine across our state. We vow never to relent in rendering service to our people,” he said.
Adeleke said that, if elected, he would prioritise citizens’ and workers’ welfare, infrastructure consolidation for economic prosperity, and increased agro‑industrial expansion for youth empowerment.
He also said he would promote innovation in health, education, social welfare and an improved business environment for job creation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) NAN reports that Adeleke, on Tuesday night, announced his defection to the Accord Party.
Adeleke said that he had joined the Accord Party more than a month ago to seek re‑election.
The governor resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Dec. 2.
