‎Accord Drags INEC to Court for Uploading Oriyomi Hamzat With Alleged Forged Signature, Says Party National Chairman Takes Bribe

‎Accord Drags INEC to Court for Uploading Oriyomi Hamzat With Alleged Forged Signature, Says Party National Chairman Takes Bribe
‎
‎The Oyo State chapter of the Accord Party has instituted a court action against the Independent National Electoral Commission over the alleged uploading of Oriyomi Hamzat’s name as the party’s candidate for the 2027 governorship election in the state.
‎
‎The party also alleged that Hamzat’s name was uploaded on the INEC portal using a forged signature purportedly belonging to the party’s National Secretary, Hon. Adebukola Ajaja.
‎
‎The Oyo State Secretary of Accord, Hon. Olayinka Dairo, disclosed this on Wednesday at a press conference held by party stakeholders at KS Motel, Total Garden, Ibadan.
‎
‎Dairo said the legal action was aimed at challenging the process through which Hamzat’s name was submitted to and uploaded by INEC, insisting that the Oyo State chapter did not recognise him as its governorship candidate.
‎
‎According to him, the party conducted its governorship primary election in accordance with its established procedures, stressing that Hamzat did not emerge as the candidate recognised by the Oyo State chapter.
‎
‎He said, “Oriyomi has been telling people around that he is the candidate of Accord for the 2027 governorship election. I want to tell us that Accord as a party in all your states, we don’t know Oriyomi as a candidate.”
‎
‎Dairo further alleged that Hamzat’s activities were aimed at hijacking the leadership structure of the party in the state, claiming that he had been presenting himself as having his own set of state and local government executives.
‎
‎He said, “I can tell you pressmen that as we speak today, Oriyomi has told people that he has his own state executives. He has his chairman, he has his own state chairman, he has his own secretary, and he has his own local government.”
‎
‎The Accord secretary said the development was unacceptable to the recognised leadership of the party, adding that the party would continue to use lawful means to protect its structures and decisions.
‎
‎Dairo also alleged that the Oyo State chapter of Accord had instituted a court case against INEC over the uploading of Hamzat’s name on its portal, claiming that the process involved the alleged use of a forged signature purportedly belonging to the party’s National Secretary, Hon. Adebukola Ajaja.
‎
‎He maintained that the process was founded on falsehood and expressed confidence that the court would eventually determine the validity of the action and the status of Hamzat’s candidacy.
‎
‎The party secretary further alleged that the National Chairman of Accord was bribed to facilitate the uploading of Hamzat’s name on the INEC portal, claiming that the Oyo State chapter had evidence to support the allegation.
‎
‎He said, “He has his own escrow. I don’t know how he comes about that. Obviously, he is not a politician.”
‎
‎Dairo said the party would rely on the available evidence and appropriate legal channels to establish its position on the controversy surrounding the alleged submission and uploading of Hamzat’s name.
‎
‎He added that the dispute should not be allowed to create unnecessary confusion among party members and supporters, urging all stakeholders to await the outcome of the court proceedings.
‎
‎The Accord chieftain urged members of the public to disregard claims that Hamzat had been officially recognised by the Oyo State chapter as its candidate for the 2027 governorship election.
‎
‎He called on party members to remain calm and united while the matter was being addressed through the courts, stressing that the recognised leadership remained committed to strengthening Accord and ensuring that the party’s internal processes were respected.
‎