The political crisis within the Accord Party in Osun State has deepened as party executives have warned Governor Ademola Adeleke to either align with the party’s national presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, or risk losing their support ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
The executives, in a statement issued in Osogbo, accused the governor of enjoying the benefits of the Accord platform while failing to fully identify with the party’s national political direction.
They declared that Governor Adeleke must choose between supporting the presidential ambition of Gbenga Hashim, the Accord Party’s national candidate, or facing a possible political realignment that could favour the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji.
The statement was jointly signed by the Accord Party’s Osun State Public Relations Officer, Daniel Adedayo, and State Youth Leader, Tolulope Babalola.
The executives argued that Governor Adeleke cannot simultaneously operate on the Accord platform while supporting political interests outside the party’s national structure.
“If the governor believes President Bola Tinubu deserves another term in 2027, then Bola Oyebamiji should equally be considered fit to govern Osun State,” they stated.
They maintained that the governor’s position as the leading political figure of Accord in Osun does not confer the authority to determine the party’s national direction, stressing that every member and stakeholder has a responsibility to respect the party’s decisions.
“Governor Adeleke remains only one voice among many in the party nationwide and cannot dictate for the party,” the executives warned.
They urged the governor to demonstrate commitment to the Accord Party by supporting Hashim’s presidential project and strengthening the party’s national relevance ahead of the 2027 general election.
The development adds a new layer of complexity to Osun’s political contest as Governor Adeleke navigates the battle for a second term amid growing questions over party cohesion, legal challenges surrounding Accord’s participation, and competing national political alignments.
The disagreement also highlights the broader struggle within emerging political parties between state level electoral interests and national ambitions ahead of the 2027 political cycle.
