Adeleke Re-election bid sparks debate as Osun APC claims a court ruling affects his candidacy, while his campaign dismisses the argument

The Osun State Governorship Campaign Council of the All Progressives Congress has argued that a recent Federal High Court judgment deregistering the Accord Party has jeopardised Governor Ademola Adeleke’s chances of contesting the August 15 governorship election in the state.

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The APC made the claim in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Head of its Media and Publicity Committee, Remi Omowaiye, who said the court’s decision had significant implications for Adeleke’s political future because the governor is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party.

Omowaiye said the party respected the authority of the court and maintained that, until the judgment is overturned by an appellate court, the governor would be unable to contest on the platform of Accord.

According to him, the ruling could also affect nominations for other elective positions associated with the party.

“Beyond the judgment delivered yesterday, we are aware that there remain pending litigations concerning the leadership tussle within the Accord Party at the national level,” Omowaiye said.

He further alleged that the governor’s absence from the ballot would deny Osun voters the opportunity to directly assess his administration at the polls.

The APC spokesman also urged residents to remain peaceful and committed to democratic principles as preparations continue for the governorship election.

However, the governor’s campaign team swiftly dismissed the APC’s position, insisting that the Adeleke Re-election Bid remains firmly on course despite the controversy surrounding the court ruling.

Speaking on behalf of the governor’s re-election campaign council, Pelumi Olajengbesi accused the opposition party of attempting to distract Adeleke from his campaign efforts ahead of the election.

“All attempts by the Osun APC to frustrate, undermine, or prevent the successful flag off of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election campaign have failed,” Olajengbesi said.

He argued that the APC’s comments reflected growing concern over Adeleke’s popularity and electoral strength across the state.

According to him, recent defections from the APC to the Accord Party have reinforced the governor’s position as the preferred candidate among many voters.

“The depletion of the Osun APC, following the defection of men and women of quality, influence, and political sagacity to the Accord Party, has once again confirmed what is already obvious across Osun State,” he said.

Olajengbesi maintained that Adeleke’s administration had earned public support through its performance in healthcare, education, infrastructure, workers’ welfare and economic development.

He also criticised what he described as efforts by the opposition to create distractions instead of presenting alternative policies to voters.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke remains the choice of the majority of the people, and no amount of political desperation can alter that reality,” he added.

The exchange highlights growing political tensions ahead of the Osun governorship election, with both camps offering contrasting interpretations of the legal and political implications of the court’s ruling on the Accord Party.

While the APC insists the judgment poses a serious obstacle to the Adeleke Re-election Bid, the governor’s supporters remain confident that legal processes and public support will ultimately favour their campaign.

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With the August 15 poll approaching, the dispute is expected to remain a key talking point in Osun’s increasingly competitive political landscape.