OSOGBO, Nigeria — The Accord Party has rejected the endorsement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, by its expelled former 2023 presidential candidate, Chris Imumolen, describing the move as having no bearing on the party’s position ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
Imumolen, who describes himself as a factional presidential candidate and national chairman of Accord, recently appeared at an APC campaign rally in Osogbo, where he announced his support for Oyebamiji and said Accord had withdrawn its backing for incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.
However, Accord National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, dismissed the endorsement and said Imumolen no longer represents the party in any capacity.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Mgbudem said Imumolen’s presence at the APC rally demonstrated that he had severed ties with Accord.
“That Imumolen attended the APC rally in Osogbo where he backed its candidate is a glaring testament that he is not a member of Accord and does not represent the party in any capacity,” Mgbudem said.
Accord rejects ‘factional chairman’ claim
The party also rejected the description of Imumolen as a “factional chairman”, insisting that no faction exists within Accord.
Mgbudem accused Imumolen of seeking political relevance despite having no structure capable of influencing the outcome of the election.
The party described him as a “political hireling and hustler” and said he had no electoral value capable of determining the outcome of Saturday’s poll.
“The purported appellation, ‘factional chairman’ of Accord is not only mischievous, it is a delusion of the grandeur that exists in his fertile imagination, as the party has no faction,” the statement said.
The dispute exposes an internal political disagreement within Accord as parties intensify their campaigns ahead of the Osun governorship election.
Accord backs Adeleke for second term
Despite Imumolen’s endorsement of the APC candidate, the recognised leadership of Accord said it remains firmly behind Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The party expressed confidence that Adeleke would win the August 15 election on the Accord platform, describing Osun State as a stronghold of the party.
“Osun State is an Accord stronghold; the people are in one accord with Governor Ademola Adeleke and will overwhelmingly vote for the party on Saturday, August 15,” Accord said.
The party attributed its confidence to what it described as Adeleke’s achievements and transformational leadership in the state.
Party alleges intimidation ahead of Osun poll
Accord also accused the APC of resorting to what it described as violence, harassment and intimidation in response to fears of electoral defeat.
The party alleged that federal institutions, including the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), were being used to suppress the Osun State Government, residents and Accord members.
The allegations were not independently established in the statement.
Accord called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain neutral and conduct a credible election.
It also urged security agencies to operate professionally and impartially before, during and after voting.
Accord calls for international monitoring
The party appealed to the international community to closely monitor the Osun election, specifically urging the European Union, African Union, ECOWAS, United States and United Kingdom to pay attention to the conduct of the poll.
Accord called for sanctions against individuals found to have compromised the electoral process.
“Let the Osun State governorship election set a new national standard in the conduct of elections in Nigeria,” the party said.
With the election approaching, the competing endorsements and allegations highlight the heightened political tension surrounding the Osun poll, as parties seek to consolidate support and reassure voters of their readiness for Saturday’s contest.
