The Osun State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has presented a list of candidates it described as the party’s authentic nominees for the 2027 general elections, while rejecting the publication by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of the Form EC9 particulars of some other individuals.
The party, in a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Comrade Abdulsalam Abdulkudus, on Monday, said the decision followed a strategic meeting involving members of the State Executive Committee, Local Government Executive Committees across the 30 local government areas, party leaders and other stakeholders.
The ADC reaffirmed Hon. Okandeji Abideen as its Acting State Chairman, insisting that the structure under his leadership remains the legitimate and duly constituted party structure in Osun State.
According to the party, only candidates who emerged through duly conducted primary elections monitored by INEC and conducted in accordance with the Electoral Act 2026 and the ADC Constitution should be recognised as its candidates.
The party listed three senatorial candidates, nine House of Representatives candidates and 26 State House of Assembly candidates as those who emerged from what it described as legitimate primary elections organised by the party’s State Executive Committee.
The senatorial candidates listed are Hon. Mrs Williams Iyabo for Osun West, Hon. Fadipe Ajisafe Abayomi for Osun East and Princess Sijuade Adenike Adeyanju for Osun Central.
For the House of Representatives, the party named candidates including Hon. Adeleke Akeem for Osogbo/Olorunda/Irepodun/Orolu; Aare Barr. Oluwafemi Kolusade for Obokun/Oriade; Hon. Ademola Rasaq Oluyede for Ilesa East/Ilesa West/Atakunmosa East/Atakunmosa West; and Hon. Barr. Adedoyin Adedapo Abiodun for Ife Central/Ife East/Ife North/Ife South.
Others include Hon. Adedokun Festus Olufemi for Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo; Hon. Salami Kudus Olayiwola for Aiyedire/Iwo/Ola-Oluwa; Hon. Oguntola Kehinde Joshua for Ayedaade/Irewole/Isokan; Hon. Fadipe Emmanuel Akintunde for Ila/Ifedayo/Boluwaduro; and Hon. Abiodun Saint Michael for Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe.
The party also released its list of 26 candidates for the State House of Assembly across constituencies in the state.
However, the ADC rejected the candidature of individuals whose names and Form EC9 particulars were allegedly displayed by INEC but were not contained in the list released by the party.
It specifically mentioned Hon. Akeem Otaooroju and Hon. Sikiru Ayedun, among others, describing them as individuals who were neither nominated nor sponsored by what it called the legitimate ADC structure in Osun State.
The party said the display of the individuals’ personal information and qualifications by INEC did not, in its view, confer legitimacy on their candidacies.
“The party firmly believes that the integrity of the nomination process may have been compromised prior to the submission and display of such documents,” the statement said.
The Osun ADC also distanced itself from a faction led by Alhaji Azeez Adesiji, declaring that the group did not represent the party in the state.
It urged members of the public, political stakeholders and party supporters to disregard statements, actions or representations made by the group on behalf of the ADC.
The party further expressed support for lawful, constitutional and judicial measures being pursued by its aggrieved candidates to challenge what it described as irregularities and protect their mandates.
It called on its members across the state to remain committed to grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the objective of expanding the party’s support base and securing electoral victory.
The meeting also appealed for unity and discipline among party members, urging leaders and supporters to avoid actions capable of causing division or disaffection within the party.
The ADC said it remained committed to internal democracy, the rule of law, transparency and the protection of mandates freely given by its members through what it described as legitimate and democratic processes.
