Accord Party Spent ₦40bn On Osun Election’ – Fayose

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has alleged that the Accord Party spent no less than ₦40 billion during the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election.

According to Ireporter Online, Fayose made the claim on Wednesday during an interview with TVC journalist Nifemi Oguntoye, where he discussed the financial activities and political dynamics surrounding the election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had declared incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke the winner of the poll, ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and other contenders.

Fayose alleged that about ₦7.5 billion was distributed across local government areas and wards shortly before the election, claiming that some wards received at least ₦35 million.

He said the huge financial expenditure by the leading parties went beyond the legally prescribed spending limits, arguing that both sides invested heavily in the election.

“The fact remains that both parties spent stupendously. They spent beyond the threshold like every other political party,” Fayose stated.

The former governor also linked a ₦20 million payment made shortly before the election to the decision by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze some Osun State Government accounts.

Questioning the timing of the alleged disbursement, Fayose asked why such funds were not made available to the people several months before the election.

He further dismissed suggestions that the APC’s defeat was solely caused by its choice of candidate, arguing that Governor Adeleke’s political influence, particularly in his hometown of Ede, played a significant role in the outcome.

According to Fayose, the large margin recorded by Adeleke in Ede could not easily be overcome by any opposition candidate, given the strength of the Adeleke family’s political structure in the area.

He also suggested that some of the votes credited to Adeleke in Ede deserved scrutiny, alleging that they may have been manipulated.

“If the APC believes there were irregularities in the election, I think they should go to court,” Fayose said, urging the party to present whatever evidence it has before the judiciary.

He maintained that the election generated significant political and financial activity, while stressing that the APC should focus on examining the factors behind its defeat and preparing for future elections.