Ballot Stronger Than Federal Might, Accord Chairman Says After Adeleke’s Osun Victory
The National Chairman of the Accord Party, Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, has said the outcome of the 2026 Osun State governorship election demonstrated that the ballot remains more powerful than political intimidation and what he described as “federal might.”
Mgbudem described the election as a significant test of Nigeria’s democracy, saying its outcome had important implications for the country’s political future and the 2027 general elections.
Speaking at a press conference in Osogbo on Monday, August 17, Mgbudem said the re-election of Governor Ademola Adeleke demonstrated that voters could defend their democratic choices despite what he described as pressure, intimidation and attempts to undermine the Accord Party and the state government.
He said the election had broader implications for Nigeria’s democratic development, arguing that the ability of citizens to freely choose their leaders was fundamental to restoring public confidence in the electoral process and strengthening democratic institutions.
According to him, the people of Osun State “have spoken loud and clear with their votes” by renewing Adeleke’s mandate because they wanted continuity, inclusive governance and further development of the state.
Mgbudem, however, alleged that the period preceding the election was characterised by harassment, arrests, detention, destruction of property, killings and the deployment of federal security and law-enforcement agencies in ways that, he claimed, disproportionately targeted the party and its supporters.
He specifically accused the Nigeria Police Force and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of being used to suppress the party and weaken the state government. He also alleged that the withholding of local government allocations formed part of a broader attempt to destabilise the state.
“The objective is to destabilise the government of His Excellency Governor Ademola Adeleke and make Osun State ungovernable to pave the way for a declaration of a state of emergency,” he alleged.
The Accord chairman said the electorate nevertheless refused to be intimidated, turning out to vote for Adeleke despite what he described as a heavily militarised electoral environment and incidents of political violence.
He attributed the governor’s victory, in part, to what he described as the visible achievements of the Adeleke administration, arguing that many residents identified with the government’s development initiatives and its promise of a better and more prosperous Osun State.
Mgbudem said the election underscored the importance of citizens’ participation in protecting democracy, stressing that the Accord Party approached the contest as an electoral exercise rather than a confrontation.
“We prepared for an election, not a war, because we believe that the ballot is stronger than the bullet,” he said.
The party chairman also adopted a conciliatory tone following the election, declaring that there should be “no victor, no vanquished” and urging all political parties and their supporters to put the contest behind them and work towards the development of Osun State.
He commended political candidates who stepped down in favour of Adeleke, describing the alliances that emerged during the election as evidence that political cooperation, when driven by the interests of the people, could contribute to strengthening Nigeria’s democracy.
Mgbudem further called for the immediate release of Accord leaders, candidates, members and supporters who, he alleged, were arrested and detained in Osun, Abuja and Nasarawa.
He argued that their continued detention after the election was unnecessary and raised concerns about their fundamental rights.
He urged the Inspector-General of Police to intervene and ensure that anyone being unlawfully detained was released, in accordance with due process, justice and respect for constitutional rights.
The Accord national chairman also commended Nigerians, civil society organisations, local and international election observers, the international community, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies for their respective roles in the conduct of the election.
He said the lessons from the Osun election should inform preparations for the 2027 general elections, which, he argued, must be more transparent, credible and inclusive and must strengthen citizens’ confidence in Nigeria’s electoral and democratic institutions.
Mgbudem said the credibility of the 2027 elections would depend not only on the conduct of political parties and candidates but also on the independence and professionalism of electoral and security institutions, as well as the ability of citizens to cast their votes without intimidation.
“Once more, I congratulate Nigerians for the success of this historic Osun governorship election. We look forward to an improved 2027 general election,” Mgbudem said.
