Two factions of the Accord political party in Oyo state on Tuesday held parallel governorship primary elections, with one of them declaring Olakunle Busari, popularly known as “Gudugudu”, as winner.
NAN reports that Adebukola Ajaja, national secretary of the Accord, and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) monitored the exercise that returned Busari as the party’s flagbearer.
Olayinka Dairo, the returning officer of the state collation committee, who announced the results, said Busari polled 29,427 votes to defeat Hamzat, who garnered 18,716 votes, while Fatai Owoseni, the third aspirant, scored 11,922 votes.
The party’s national secretary described the exercise as free, fair and peaceful, while confirming that INEC officials were present throughout the process.
“The outcome is very, very nice. It went on fine; it was fair and free. There was no trouble; there was nothing except success,” Ajaja said.
“I want all to just know that since it’s a free and fair election, whatever comes out, we must accept. Let us move from here and see how we can bring Accord to a greater height.”
Speaking after the exercise, Busari thanked party members and delegates for their confidence in his candidacy and pledged inclusive governance if elected.
“I am ready to work with everybody. We will work together and brainstorm for the progress and development of Oyo State,” he said.
However, in two viral videos circulating on X on Tuesday, another faction of the party declared Hamzat the winner of the governorship primary.
The faction, which reportedly operated under a different national executive alignment, said Hamzat emerged based on wide grassroots support, though no detailed vote breakdown was released.
In one of the clips posted by Oyo Affairs and seen by Salient Times, the popular broadcaster was declared the winner and presented with a certificate of return amid cheers from his supporters.
As of the time of filing this report, the national body of the party was yet to make any official statement on the governorship primary in Oyo state.
The party had split ahead of the primary, with one faction backing Busari and another, drawn from the ‘Oyo Npe O’ movement rallying behind Oriyomi. Both sides have been holding separate meetings
