Fayose Claps Back At Davido, Says Accord Spent Nothing Less Than ₦40 Billion on Osun Election

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has alleged that both the APC and Accord Party spent heavily to influence the outcome of the recent Osun State governorship election, insisting that neither party can claim victory was achieved solely through popularity or grassroots support. Fayose made this known today in an interview with seasoned broadcaster, Nifemi Oguntoye, while analysing the election and its implications for the 2027 general elections.

Fayose claimed that the Accord Party alone may have spent as much as ₦40 billion during the election, while also alleging that over ₦7.5 billion was distributed across various wards shortly before the poll. He said both major contenders spent beyond the legally prescribed threshold, arguing that Nigerians should not be misled into believing that the election was won simply through prayers, fasting or popularity.

The former governor also criticised the APC’s handling of its internal affairs, particularly the process that produced its candidate. He argued that the party’s internal disagreements and failure to effectively reconcile competing interests contributed to its performance in the election. However, Fayose maintained that the large margin recorded in areas such as Ede could not simply be attributed to the choice of candidate, pointing instead to the strength of the ruling party in those areas.

Fayose further urged the APC to challenge the election result in court if it believed there were grounds to contest the figures. He specifically questioned the large vote differential recorded in Ede, describing the figures as suspicious while acknowledging that the area remains a stronghold of Governor Ademola Adeleke. According to him, the APC should use the legal process to test any evidence it has rather than simply accept the outcome.

Looking ahead to 2027, Fayose predicted that President Bola Tinubu would secure more votes in Osun State, arguing that the president would work to strengthen relationships with different political interests ahead of the next election. He also dismissed suggestions that the Osun result had given the opposition a significant advantage, saying the opposition had lost its greatest opportunity by failing to unite under a common platform. Fayose, who reaffirmed that he remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, said a united opposition would have posed a stronger challenge to the ruling party.