Court Ruling on Deregistration Threatens Adeleke’s Re‑Election Bid; APC Responds

The Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council has warned that a Federal High Court ruling that derecognises the Accord Party could jeopardise Governor Ademola Adeleke’s bid for re‑election in the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

In a statement released on Tuesday by the council’s Head of Media and Publicity, Oluremi Omowaiye, the council said it had taken note of the court’s decision and the directive to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to act in accordance with the judgment.

“We respect the authority of the court and the principles of constitutional democracy,” the statement said, adding that the ruling has “significant implications for Governor Adeleke, who is seeking a second term on the platform of the Accord Party.”

“Unless and until the decision of the Federal High Court is set aside by a competent appellate court, Governor Ademola Adeleke will not be contesting the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State under the banner of Accord,” the council added.

The council warned that the judgment could also affect other candidates sponsored by the Accord Party for state and national legislative positions, describing the development as a major setback for the governor’s political future.

According to the APC, “aside from the Federal High Court ruling, there are ongoing legal disputes over the national leadership of the Accord Party. If the courts eventually recognise an opposing faction, INEC could be unable to accept Adeleke as the party’s validly nominated governorship candidate.”

“The crisis over the authentic leadership of the party is yet to be conclusively resolved. The governor’s political challenges stemmed from unresolved legal issues that predated his entry into the party,” the statement continued.

The council also argued that Adeleke’s possible absence from the ballot would deny voters the opportunity to assess his administration at the polls.

APC alleged that residents have experienced economic hardship, challenges in the education and health sectors, and job losses under the current administration.

The campaign council accused the Adeleke administration of mismanaging public resources and said that several projects and financial transactions carried out by the government would require scrutiny in the future.

While mentioning the N99.5 billion Ede Airport project, the alleged diversion of a N2 billion Federal Government grant for buses, payments to alleged ghost workers and the management of public revenue, it insisted that accountability would remain an issue regardless of the outcome of the governorship race.

“Even if Governor Adeleke escapes the verdict of the electorate because he is disqualified from the race, he cannot escape the long arm of justice and the inevitable demand for accountability,” the statement added.

The APC campaign council urged residents of Osun State to remain peaceful, vigilant and committed to democratic principles ahead of the August 15 governorship election.