News, Politics

Osun Accord Party Warns Adeleke Against Skipping Primaries for Incumbent Lawmakers

Published by Samuel Ayomide on March 8th, 2026.

A coalition of grassroots mobilisers and political stakeholders within the Accord Party in Osun State has warned against any move to grant automatic election tickets to incumbent federal lawmakers, saying such a decision could trigger internal tensions within the party.

The group raised its concerns in a statement released in Osogbo, urging Governor Ademola Adeleke and party leaders to prioritise fairness and inclusiveness in the party’s candidate selection process.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Adekunle Gabriel said that while efforts to maintain unity and stability within the party are understandable, political structures thrive best when members feel the process is open and competitive.

The stakeholders cautioned that granting automatic nominations to sitting lawmakers could discourage other aspirants who have invested time and resources in grassroots mobilisation and consultations across the state.

According to the group, restricting the political space may weaken enthusiasm among party members and potentially create divisions that could affect the party’s overall strength ahead of future elections.

They emphasised that voters in Osun are politically aware and sensitive to issues relating to fairness, adding that any perception of preferential treatment could undermine public confidence in the party’s internal processes.

The coalition further noted that several aspirants have already been actively engaging communities and building support networks across different constituencies. They warned that sidelining such efforts through closed-door arrangements could lead to dissatisfaction among party members.

While reaffirming their commitment to peaceful political participation, the stakeholders urged party leaders to adopt transparent procedures that allow all qualified aspirants to compete fairly, stressing that open contests remain essential for sustaining unity and strengthening the party’s democratic credibility.