OSOGBO, NIGERIA — The Osun State chapter of the Accord Party has been thrown into severe turmoil following allegations of a massive financial scandal involving a senior party leader who reportedly swindled legislative aspirants of over ₦2 billion before fleeing the state.
The brewing crisis erupted into open defiance as aggrieved political hopefuls and hundreds of their supporters staged a massive protest in Osun State, demanding a total overhaul of the selection process for the Ife Federal Constituency seat.
The ₦2 Billion Deception
According to multiple high-level insiders within the political space, a prominent Accord Party leader in the state allegedly extorted varying sums of money totaling no less than ₦2 billion from several aspirants eyeing the House of Representatives ticket for Ife Federal Constituency. The leader reportedly promised each aspirant the "guaranteed" backing of the party machinery.
The bubble burst earlier this week when it was discovered that the leader had unilaterally submitted a single name—Dr. Oluwatosin Odunayo Eluwole—to the state governor for top-level administrative approval and alignment. Immediately after submitting Dr. Eluwole's name, the official allegedly switched off all communication lines and fled, leaving the remaining aspirants stranded and shortchanged.
Governor Adeleke Blindsided
Crucially, sources reveal that the financial transactions and the backroom selection process were shielded entirely from the state governor.
"His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke, was completely in the dark about this," an insider stated on the condition of anonymity. "When the intelligence report reached him, the Governor was genuinely amazed and deeply disturbed that such an audacious fraud could be executed using his name for endorsement. He had absolutely no knowledge of the money collection."
Governor Adeleke's surprise has done little to calm the situation, as the fraudulent act has already triggered a full-blown crisis that is spilling across party lines in the state.
Aspirants Team Up in Major Backlash
In the wake of the announcement, the remaining aspirants have formed a united front, teaming up against the fraudulent actions of the party leader. Refusing to accept the imposition of Dr. Oluwatosin Odunayo Eluwole, the coalition of shortchanged candidates is collectively demanding justice and a complete reversal of the submission.
The alleged betrayal sparked immediate outrage across Ife, culminating in a heated protest. Disgruntled aspirants and their massive follower base argue that the entire selection process has been fundamentally corrupted and rendered illegitimate. Protesters carrying placards demanded immediate intervention to nullify the fraudulent submission.
With the political structure heavily fractured and the coalition of aspirants refusing to back down, stakeholders are now asking a critical question: Will there be another candidate introduced in Ife Federal Constituency to remedy the situation, or will the fallout permanently damage the constituency's race?
