A legal battle concerning the governorship candidacy of the Accord Party in Oyo State has faced delays due to conflicts over legal representation. The Federal High Court in Ibadan, presided over by Justice Uche Agomoh, has adjourned the case until September 30, 2026, to allow the parties involved to resolve their differences regarding who is authorized to represent the party in court.

The case, identified as suit number FHC/IB/CS/97/26, was brought forward by Olakunle Busari, who is seeking a court directive to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remove Oriyomi Hamzat's name from its portal as the party's governorship candidate. Busari insists that his name should be recognized as the legitimate candidate for the 2027 general elections in Oyo State.

During a recent interview, Busari's lead counsel, Tunji Ogunrinde, SAN, explained that the court could not proceed with the application due to the conflicting legal representations that emerged. Ogunrinde emphasized the importance of resolving these representation issues before the case can advance, stating, "The court has directed the parties to resolve the issue of legal representation before the matter can proceed."

The situation has sparked confusion within the party, as Dairo Olayinka, the State Secretary, expressed surprise at the appearance of another lawyer claiming to represent Accord's interests. Olayinka pointed out that the party executives had already designated a lawyer and issued a letter of authorization for that representation.

Mogaji Igbinsola Sunday, the Southwest leader of the Accord Party, condemned the development as a deliberate attempt to stall proceedings. He stressed the necessity of clarifying legal representation to ensure that the party's interests are accurately presented in court.

Additionally, Honourable Ajaja Adebukola, the National Secretary of the party, criticized the emergence of the new counsel, asserting that the individual lacked the authority to represent Accord Party. She reiterated that only the officially recognized leadership of the party has the power to determine its legal representation in this matter.

As the parties prepare for the next court date, the resolution of these legal representation disputes will be crucial for the future of the Accord Party's candidacy in the upcoming elections.