A political clash between two federal lawmakers from Osun State intensified on social media this week after Hon. Bamidele Salam, a member of the Federal House of Representatives, publicly rebuked his colleague Hon. Oluwole Oke for comments Oke made regarding Governor Senator Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke’s defection to the Accord Party ahead of the August 8, 2026 governorship election.
The controversy stems from a Facebook post by Oke — who recently left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) — in which he described any vote for the Accord Party in the upcoming election as “a waste.” He also called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister the Accord Party, arguing that it lacked elected officials nationwide.
In what has become a sharp rebuttal, Salam, who represents the Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore, and Ejigbo Federal Constituency, responded promptly on his own Facebook page, challenging the factual basis of Oke’s claims. He wrote:
“Dear Ẹ̀gbọ́n Oluwole Oke… the Electoral Act 2022 does NOT have a section 225 A and 84 (16) as indicated in this your mischievous post […] As a lawmaker who has been in Parliament for over 20 years, you owe the Public an apology for posting this falsehood and nonsensical proposition only because you now belong to a clique that is afraid of a free and fair contest for Public office… This is not Honourable at all, sir.”
Hon. Bamidele Salam is a seasoned legislator, lawyer, and journalist who has served multiple terms in the National Assembly, and chairs the House of Representatives Public Accounts Committee. He has long been an outspoken supporter of Governor Adeleke’s administration and policies.
READ ALSO: “Any Vote for Accord Is a Waste” — Hon. Oluwole Oke Slams Adeleke’s Defection in Facebook Post
In recent public statements and official releases, Salam has celebrated Adeleke’s leadership style and governance record — describing it as “historic, people-focused, and innovation-driven” — while highlighting achievements in welfare, infrastructure, healthcare, and education under the governor’s tenure.
Salam’s backing of Adeleke extends beyond general praise; traditional rulers within his federal constituency have also publicly endorsed his leadership and reaffirmed support for Adeleke ahead of the 2026 polls.
Central to the spat between the two lawmakers is Oke’s insistence — now fact-checked and challenged by Salam — that the Electoral Act 2022 contains provisions (sections “225 A” and “84 (16)”) that justify deregistering the Accord Party due to its alleged lack of elected officials. Salam countered that no such sections exist in the Electoral Act, and argued that spreading such claims undermines confidence in the electoral process and misleads the public.
Political analysts say the exchange reflects rising tensions within Osun’s political class amid realignments ahead of the 2026 governorship election, particularly as Adeleke’s defection from the PDP to the Accord Party reshapes party loyalties and electoral calculations in the state.
Salam’s remarks have generated mixed reactions online and among political stakeholders, with supporters applauding his fact-checking and critics accusing him of engaging in partisan defence. The debate highlights broader challenges confronting Nigerian politics as legislators and party operatives jockey for advantage ahead of critical elections.
While Oke’s stance underscores the APC’s strategy to undermine competitor parties, Salam’s response emphasizes adherence to legal frameworks and warns against misleading narratives that could erode public trust in the democratic process.
