The Lagos State Chairman of Accord Party, Dele Oladeji, has rejected claims that the party has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.
Oladeji, who also serves as Secretary of the Forum of Accord Party Chairmen in Southern Nigeria, described the claim as false and contrary to the party’s position.
He spoke on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) while reacting to comments attributed to Prof. Christopher Imumolen, a factional Accord presidential candidate.
Imumolen had reportedly claimed that Accord was backing Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Oladeji, however, said no meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee had discussed or approved such an endorsement.
“Accord did not and will not endorse Tinubu for a second term. Any person claiming otherwise is playing politics or engaging in anti-party activities,” he said.
Accord Says No NEC Approval
According to Oladeji, the party had not discussed endorsing President Tinubu at any of its NEC meetings since preparations for the 2027 elections began.
He said there was therefore no basis for claims that Accord had formally adopted Tinubu as its preferred presidential candidate.
“Accord has not at any time discussed any endorsement of President Tinubu at any of our NEC meetings,” he said.
Oladeji added that the party’s official decisions must come through its recognised constitutional structures.
Oladeji Challenges Imumolen’s Claim
The Accord chairman described Imumolen’s reported position as a personal opinion that does not represent the official position of the party.
He also accused Imumolen of seeking publicity by presenting the endorsement claim.
“Chris Imumolen is impersonating the Accord presidential candidate and declaring support for President Tinubu is political shadow boxing for media attention,” Oladeji said.
The statement reflects Oladeji’s characterization of Imumolen’s actions and should not be taken as an independently established finding.
Accord Questions Imumolen’s Membership
Oladeji also questioned Imumolen’s current membership status within Accord.
He alleged that Imumolen’s name was not contained in the party’s current membership register, claiming that an earlier register had been replaced by a new one introduced by the party’s national leadership in 2023.
“His name is not on the Accord membership register, as the register he was on had been phased out,” Oladeji said.
He challenged Imumolen to provide evidence of his current membership and participation in recognised party activities.
Accord Plans to Contest 2027 Elections
Oladeji maintained that Accord remains committed to participating in the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the party plans to field candidates for elective positions at different levels, including:
- State House of Assembly
- House of Representatives
- Senate
- Governorship
- Presidency
“Accord candidates will contest every elective position in the country, including the presidential election,” he said.
The Lagos chairman argued that endorsing the presidential candidate of another political party would be inconsistent with Accord’s plans to contest the elections independently.
Party Says It Will Remain Independent
Oladeji urged Accord members and supporters to disregard reports suggesting that the party had entered into an agreement supporting Tinubu’s re-election campaign.
He stressed that any official decision by the party must emerge from its recognised constitutional organs and properly constituted meetings.
The chairman said Accord would maintain its independent political identity and continue preparations for the 2027 general elections.
For clarity: The claims about Accord’s endorsement, Imumolen’s membership status and the party’s internal position are based on statements attributed to Oladeji in the NAN report. The material provided does not independently establish the underlying membership or factional dispute.
