Accord Party faction faults INEC over Osun gov main dispute

A faction of the Accord Party has faulted the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee over its reported disownment of a factional governorship main in Osun State.

PidomNigeria On-line earlier reported that the faction led by its former presidential candidate, Professor Chris Imumolen, had carried out a governorship main, which produced Bamigbola Clement as its candidate for the August 8, 2026, governorship ballot.

Whereas one other faction of the occasion, led by Isaac Adeniyi, additionally carried out one other main, which threw up Governor Ademola Adeleke as its flagbearer.

However the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee accepted the results of the first that threw up Adeleke and disowned the first which produced Clement.

INEC’s Public Relations Officer within the state, Musa Olurode, mentioned the fee was unaware of the parallel train.

In a press release issued on Monday and signed by its Nationwide Secretary, Muktar Abdalla, the Imumolen-led faction mentioned it complied absolutely with the provisions of the Electoral Act by notifying INEC of its governorship main.

The faction described the event on account of inside documentation gaps inside the electoral physique relatively than any failure by the occasion.

In response to the occasion, the notification was duly submitted to INEC headquarters and acknowledged, including that proof of receipt stays on document.

“Whereas we respect the position of the media and the statutory obligations of the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee (INEC), it is very important set the document straight and make clear important info intentionally or inadvertently omitted.

“First, the claims attributed to INEC clearly expose inside inefficiencies and weak doc management mechanisms inside the Fee, relatively than any failure on the a part of the Accord Party. The Party duly complied with the legislation by submitting the required notification of its governorship main to the INEC Headquarters, in keeping with the Electoral Act. Proof of submission exists, together with a obtained and acknowledged copy, which stays on document.

“The minimal requirement below the legislation is notification and acknowledgement—not inside circulation inside INEC, which stays the Fee’s sole duty,” the assertion learn.

The occasion argued that any failure to internally relay or course of the communication inside INEC shouldn’t be attributed to the Accord Party, describing such lapses as administrative shortcomings on the a part of the Fee.

It additionally faulted INEC for failing to adjust to a subsisting courtroom order recognising Professor Imumolen because the Nationwide Chairman of the occasion.

“Moreover, the management dispute inside the Accord Party is already earlier than a reliable courtroom, with the matter scheduled for listening to on eighth January, the place the difficulty of rightful management will probably be conclusively decided—regardless of the existence of a previous courtroom order already recognising the Prof. Chris Imumolen–led management.

“It’s due to this fact untimely, deceptive, and legally unsustainable for INEC to take public positions that prejudge a matter already earlier than the courts, particularly whereas remaining in contempt of an present judgment,” the assertion added.

The occasion reaffirmed its dedication to due course of, the rule of legislation, inside democracy and peaceable political engagement.

It, due to this fact, known as on INEC to strengthen its inside documentation and communication programs and guarantee full compliance with courtroom orders.