Accord Party Crisis Deepens as Faction Produces Rival Osun Guber Candidate

Fresh cracks have emerged within the Accord Party in Osun State following the emergence of a factional governorship candidate ahead of the 2026 election.

A faction of the party on Sunday conducted a parallel governorship primary, producing Mr. Clement Bamigbola as its candidate for the Osun governorship race

This development comes days after Governor Ademola Adeleke reportedly emerged as the Accord Party’s candidate, having polled 145 votes at a primary election held on Wednesday under the leadership of Mr. Maxwell Mgbudem, who is recognised by that faction as the party’s national chairman.

However, the legitimacy of the exercise was immediately challenged by another faction of the party, which rejected the leadership of Mgbudem, insisting that he is not the legally recognised national chairman of the Accord Party.

The dissenting group proceeded to organise its own primary election on Sunday, during which about 300 delegates from across Osun State reportedly participated.

The exercise, held at Regina Suites, Osogbo, culminated in the emergence of Bamigbola as the faction’s governorship candidate.

The development has further complicated the internal crisis within the Accord Party, raising questions about the party’s preparedness and unity ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Osun State.

As of the time of filing this report, the national leadership of the party had yet to issue an official statement on the parallel primaries.