‘Politics Not Dirty, We Have God As Our Father’ – Osun Accord Chair Declares

The Chairman of the Accord Party in Osun State, Pastor Victor Akande, has declared that the party operates without political godfathers, insisting that its structure is guided by principles and ideology rather than patronage.

Akande also dismissed the notion that politics is inherently corrupt, attributing public distrust of the system to the conduct of individuals rather than the political process itself.

The Accord chairman made this known on Wednesday during the 51st edition of The Frontliners, organised by the Veteran Journalists Association in Osun State on Thursday.

“In Accord there is no godfather but we have God as a father. It is very unique,” Akande said.

“Politics is not a dirty game; it is the people playing it that make it dirty.”

According to him, politics was divinely instituted, placing it alongside the home, government and the church, noting that unethical behaviour was not peculiar to political practice alone.

“There is no profession in the world where you will not find dirty people,” he added.

Addressing recent political developments in the state, Akande disclosed that Governor Ademola Adeleke emerged as the Accord Party’s governorship candidate following the party’s primary election held on December 10, 2025.

He said the party’s position on the ballot paper and its internal unity had further strengthened its appeal to voters.

“Accord is number one on the ballot paper, which makes it easier for voters, especially in rural areas,” Akande explained.

Describing Accord as a party with a clean track record, the chairman said its ideology was firmly rooted in welfarism and social justice.

“Our vision is an egalitarian society where everybody becomes somebody. The governor’s agenda aligns with this ideology,” he said.

Akande added that the party had intensified public engagement to inform voters about Adeleke’s candidature on the Accord platform.

He noted that grassroots mobilisation committees had been established across towns, villages and farm settlements to deepen voter awareness and participation.

Abia Radio News reports that the party chairman dismissed claims of internal crisis, insisting that reports of factions within Accord were unfounded.

“There was no wrangling before the governor joined Accord. The so-called factions are unknown to the party,” he stated.

Akande further disclosed that details of the party’s governorship candidate had been uploaded on the Independent National Electoral Commission’s portal, assuring members and supporters of full compliance with electoral requirements.

He also stressed that Accord would retain full control of its structures in Osun State, adding 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 growing political force in Osun State.

He noted the party’s increasing influence in the state’s political landscape. Shittu-Alamu also explained that the association, formerly known as the League of Veteran Journalists, adopted its new name due to registration issues with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

He reaffirmed that veteran journalists remained critical 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.