A faction of the Accord Party, reportedly led by the party’s former 2023 presidential candidate, Professor Chris Imumolen, has strongly condemned Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s defection to the party, describing the move as a “back-door entry” and therefore “invalid.”

Naija News reports that Governor Adeleke announced his defection to Accord on Tuesday, attributing his decision to the lingering crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

However, the Imumolen-led faction insists that the governor’s move did not follow the party’s established procedures, casting doubt on the legitimacy of both his defection and his recent clearance as the party’s sole governorship candidate.

According to TVC, party insiders argue that such an irregular entry threatens internal cohesion and may further widen existing divisions within the party’s structure. They caution that the development could have far-reaching implications ahead of the next election cycle.

They added that party realignments, if poorly managed, risk undermining voter confidence and reshaping political alliances across the state.

Recall that Governor Adeleke on Wednesday emerged as the Accord Party’s governorship candidate for the 2026 Osun governorship election. He secured 145 votes at the primary election.

Announcing the results, the Secretary of the Electoral Committee, Abdulazeez Salaudeen, disclosed that five votes were voided.

He said, “The electoral committee has delivered on its mandate. After voting and counting, witnessed by the agents of the candidate and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, and having scored the highest number of votes, I declare Senator Nurudeen Ademola Adeleke the winner of the primary.”