Osun poll: Accord Party spent at least N40bn, Fayose replies Davido

Former Ekiti Governor Ayodele Fayose has revealed that the Accord Party incurred expenses exceeding N40 billion during the Osun State Governorship election held on August 15. Fayose made this claim in a recent interview featuring TVC journalist Nifemi Oguntoye, which was later posted on the journalist's X account. The assertion came in response to claims made by Afrobeats star Davido, who alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) spent N110 billion on vote-buying during the same election.

Davido, who is the nephew of the current governor and Accord Party's candidate, Ademola Adeleke, further claimed that the Accord Party did not spend money but rather relied on the Osun State populace. Fayose dismissed these claims, stating that the two main parties had spent heavily and dismissed suggestions that the election was won solely through prayers or popular support.

He also pointed out that the Accord Party sent over N7.5 billion to various local governments and wards shortly before the election, with each ward receiving a minimum of N35 million. Fayose did not provide evidence to support his figures, but asserted that both parties spent beyond the legal limits for election expenditure. He questioned the distribution of funds leading up to the vote and suggested that the freezing of accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) indicated something was amiss.

Fayose also highlighted the significance of the narrow margin between the two leading candidates, Adeleke and Bola Oyebamiji, with a difference of 66,252 votes.