The South-West National Vice Chairman of the Accord, Mogaji Sunday Paul Igbinsola, has moved to clarify controversies surrounding the party’s governorship primary in Oyo State, insisting that the Abdulrahmon-led team from the national secretariat remains the only duly recognised and officially authorised delegation sent to conduct the exercise.
Speaking with journalists in Ibadan on Wednesday, Igbinsola said any other group or individuals laying claim to the conduct of the governorship primary should be disregarded by party members and the general public.
According to him, “The Abdulrahmon-led delegation from the national body is the only authentic and officially recognised team sent to conduct the governorship primary election of our great party in Oyo State. Any contrary claim is misleading and should be ignored.”
Igbinsola further revealed that he was initially aware of certain internal arrangements within the party but later withdrew after discovering what he described as a calculated move to “sell the party by proxy” to the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.
“I was part of the discussions at the early stage, but I had to pull out when it became obvious that the intention was to compromise the integrity of the party and hand it over through political proxies. That is against everything Accord stands for,” he stated.
The party chieftain alleged that Hon. Kunle Busari was among those allegedly being positioned to execute that arrangement, claiming Busari had previously handled contracts linked to the Oyo State government through proxy channels.
He also dismissed claims regarding Gudugudu’s political standing within the party, stating categorically that the individual was never a registered member of Accord in Ibadan South-West Local Government.
Igbinsola stressed that his position was based on verified party records and longstanding involvement within the structure of the party across the state.
“As a former State Secretary and former Caretaker Chairman of Accord in Oyo State, I have direct access to the party register across all the 33 local government chapters. I know those who are members and those who are not,” he said.
He further claimed that monetary inducements and material offers made to him including an alleged promise of N100 million and a Korean-made SUV were rejected, saying no amount of money would make him betray the party.
“No amount, whether N100 million or a vehicle, is enough to convince me to sell the soul of our party to political dictators. My loyalty remains with the party faithful and the democratic values we represent,” he declared.
Igbinsola also called on Hon. Abiola Ajaja and those he described as “agents of destruction” within the party to retrace their steps and desist from actions capable of destabilising the Accord structure in Oyo State.
He urged those involved in the alleged financial arrangements to “save their names” and return what he referred to as contract funds, warning that any attempt to manipulate the party’s political direction would not stand.
Despite the internal tensions, the South-West vice chairman reassured supporters that Accord remains united and focused ahead of the 2027 governorship race.
He maintained that the party’s preferred governorship aspirant, Alhaji Oriyomi Okikiola Hamzat, will emerge on the ballot for the 2027 governorship election.
“The people of Oyo State should remain calm. There is no cause for panic. Our chosen and generally acceptable candidate, Alhaji Oriyomi Okikiola Hamzat, will be on the ballot in 2027, and the will of genuine party members will prevail,” Igbinsola added.
