Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has a message for his supporters: don't panic. The Accord Party will be on the ballot for the August 15 governorship election, no matter what any court says.

Adeleke gave this assurance on Tuesday in Osogbo during the flag-off of his re-election campaign. The event came days after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the deregistration of Accord along with four other political parties.

"Let me start by assuring you all: Accord will be on the ballot; your votes will count; and I will be re-elected as your governor on Aug. 15," Adeleke told the crowd.

The governor said his team is using all lawful means to make sure the party participates in the election. He didn't give details of the legal steps being taken.

"All lawful means are being deployed to sustain and retain our rights to vote and be voted for," he said. "We won't bow to dark forces; we remain courageous, and we shall again be victorious by the special grace of God."

Adeleke urged party members and supporters to stay active and committed. He said the gains of his administration since 2022 mustn't be lost.

"Go out to all voting units and mobilise for Accord. Our party remains a duly registered political party in the country. Rule of law must prevail. Democracy must survive."

The governor also welcomed defectors from the All Progressives Congress (APC) who have joined Accord. He promised them equal opportunities within the party.

"To our new members, I assure you of equal opportunities," he said.

Adeleke thanked various associations and groups that have endorsed his re-election. He said they cited his performance since 2022 as the reason for their support.

In a move that might surprise some of his supporters, Adeleke also reaffirmed his endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for re-election in 2027. Tinubu is a member of the APC, Accord's main rival in Osun.

"As we seek your votes on Aug. 15, we restate our endorsement of our son, father, and leader, President Bola Tinubu, for re-election in 2027. Our support for Mr President is unshaken and total," Adeleke said.

Adeleke, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) before defecting to Accord ahead of the 2022 election, is seeking a second term. He defeated former Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the APC in the July 2022 election by a margin of about 28,000 votes. That victory was later upheld by the Supreme Court after a lengthy legal battle.

Now, with the court ruling threatening his party's existence, Adeleke is asking Osun voters to stay focused.

"Great people of Osun, we cannot and mustn't return to the dark days. We must rise and defend our democratic rights. We can't be intimidated in the exercise of our voting rights," he said.

"This is our state, the cradle of the Yoruba nation. By God's grace and the people's support, continuity shall prevail."

The August 15 election will be a test of whether Adeleke's popularity can overcome the legal uncertainty around his party.