Lagos Accord Party rejects Tinubu endorsement claim

Dele Oladeji, the Lagos State Chairman of the Accord Party, has firmly rejected claims that his party has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for re-election in 2027. Oladeji, who also serves as the Secretary of the Forum of Accord Party Chairmen in Southern Nigeria, described the endorsement claim as false and a misrepresentation of the party's official stance.

Speaking in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria on Sunday, Oladeji clarified that the Accord Party has not held any National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting to discuss or approve such an endorsement. He emphasized that any individual claiming otherwise is either engaging in political maneuvering or committing anti-party activities. "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 stated.

Oladeji further criticized Professor Christopher Imumolen, identified as a factional Accord presidential candidate, whose remarks allegedly initiated the endorsement claim. Oladeji characterized Imumolen's position as a personal opinion aimed at gaining media attention, not a reflection of the party's collective decision. He also questioned Imumolen's current membership status within the party, alleging that his name is absent from the updated membership register introduced in 2023.

The Accord Party chairman challenged Imumolen to provide evidence of his membership and participation in recognized party structures. Oladeji reaffirmed the party's commitment to actively participate in the 2027 general elections, planning to field candidates for all elective positions across the country, including the presidency. He stressed that endorsing another party's candidate would contradict Accord's political objectives and identity, stating, "Only an unserious person and political party will endorse the candidate of another party. Accord will not do such."