The Chairman of the Accord Party in Osun State, Pastor Victor Akande, has said the party operates without political godfathers, stressing that its structure is guided by principles rather than patronage.
Akande also argued that politics itself should not be viewed negatively, attributing public distrust to the conduct of individuals rather than the system.
The Accord Chairman made this known on Wednesday during the 51st edition of The Frontliners, organised by the Veteran Journalists Association, VJA, Osun State on Thursday.
Akande said, “In Accord there is no godfather but we have God as a father. It is very unique. Politics is not a dirty game; it is the people playing it that make it dirty.”
He added that politics was divinely instituted, placing it alongside the home, government and the church, and noted that misconduct was not peculiar to political practice alone.
“There is no profession in the world where you will not find dirty people,” Akande said.
Addressing recent political developments, the Accord chairman disclosed that Governor Ademola Adeleke emerged as the party’s governorship candidate following the primary election conducted on December 10, 2025.
According to him, the party’s position on the ballot paper and its internal cohesion were factors that strengthened its electoral appeal.
“Accord is number one on the ballot paper, which makes it easier for voters, especially in rural areas,” Akande explained.
He described Accord as a party with a clean record, noting that its ideology was rooted in welfarism.
“Our vision is an egalitarian society where everybody becomes somebody. The governor’s agenda aligns with this ideology,” he said.
Akande revealed that the party had intensified public engagement to inform voters about Adeleke’s candidature on the Accord platform, adding that grassroots mobilisation committees had been set up across towns, villages and farm settlements.
He dismissed claims of internal crisis within the party, insisting that any reports of factions were unfounded.
“There was no wrangling before the governor joined Accord. The so-called factions are unknown to the party,” he stated.
The party chairman disclosed that the details of its governorship candidate had been uploaded on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s, INEC, portal, assuring supporters of full compliance with electoral requirements.
Akande also said Accord would retain full control of its structures in Osun State, stressing that no other political party would take over its organisational framework.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Veteran Journalists Association, Smollett Adetoyese Shittu-Alamu, described Accord, as a strong political force in the state, noting its growing influence in Osun politics.
Shittu-Alamu explained that the association formerly known as the League of Veteran Journalists had adopted its new name due to issues relating to registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
He reaffirmed that veteran journalists remained key stakeholders in Osun State, adding that the association was committed to mentoring younger journalists.
“We have a responsibility to show the next generation how it is done,” he said.
