A factional National Chairman of the Accord Party, Prof. Christopher Imumolen, has declared his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Imumolen announced his decision on Thursday during the APC mega rally held in Osun State, where he publicly endorsed Oyebamiji and called on his supporters to back the APC candidate in the August 15 poll.

His endorsement comes just two days before Osun voters head to the polls to elect the next governor of the state.

Imumolen, who is also identified as a former presidential candidate of the Accord Party, said his decision was based on his assessment of the political situation in the state and his support for Oyebamiji’s candidacy.

The development was also acknowledged at the rally by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, who represented President Bola Tinubu. Akpabio said, according to information available to him, that the Accord faction had withdrawn its support for Governor Ademola Adeleke and decided to back the APC candidate.

Accord Division

The endorsement highlights the divisions within the Accord Party ahead of the election.

Governor Ademola Adeleke is contesting the election under the Accord platform, while the Osun State chapter of the party has previously dismissed endorsements for Oyebamiji, insisting that such developments would not prevent Adeleke from seeking re-election.

This means Imumolen’s endorsement should be understood as coming from a faction of the Accord Party, rather than representing an undisputed endorsement by the entire party.

Oyebamiji Welcomes Support

Oyebamiji, the APC candidate, has emerged as one of the three major contenders in the August 15 election alongside incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of Accord and African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate Najeem Salam.

The APC has intensified its campaign across the state in the final days before the election, with the party seeking to return to power after losing the governorship to Adeleke in 2022.

The latest endorsement adds another layer to the increasingly competitive race, as the major parties make final efforts to consolidate support ahead of Saturday’s poll.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Osun governorship election for August 15, 2026.