The Lagos State Chairman of Accord Party, Dele Oladeji, has dismissed claims that the party has endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.
Oladeji, who is also the Secretary of the Forum of Accord Party Chairmen in Southern Nigeria, described the claim as false and contrary to the official position of the party.
He made the clarification on Sunday while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), following remarks attributed to Prof. Christopher Imumolen, a factional presidential candidate of the party.
Imumolen had reportedly claimed that Accord was backing Tinubu’s bid for another term in office.
Reacting, Oladeji said no meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee had discussed or approved any endorsement of the President.
“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.
According to him, the party had not deliberated on supporting Tinubu at any NEC meeting since preparations for the 2027 general elections began.
“Accord has not at any time discussed any endorsement of President Tinubu at any of our NEC meetings.
“So, there is no basis whatsoever for anybody to claim that Accord has endorsed President Tinubu,” he added.
Oladeji described Imumolen’s position as a personal opinion, alleging that it was intended to attract public attention rather than reflect the party’s official position.
“Chris Imumolen is impersonating the Accord presidential candidate and declaring support for President Tinubu is political shadow boxing for media attention,” he said.
The Lagos chairman also questioned Imumolen’s membership of Accord, alleging that his name was not contained in the party’s current membership register.
He explained that an older membership register had been replaced with 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 structures.
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“If Imumolen claims otherwise, let him publish his Accord membership register and pictures of any NEC meeting attended by INEC officials,” he said.
Oladeji stressed that Accord remained committed to participating in the 2027 general elections at all levels.
He said the party would field candidates for state Houses of Assembly, governorship, the House of Representatives, the Senate and the presidency across the country.
“Accord candidates will contest every elective position in the country, including the presidential election,” he said.
The party chairman argued that endorsing the presidential candidate of another political party would contradict Accord’s identity and electoral objectives.
“Only an unserious person and political party will endorse the candidate of another party. Accord will not do such,” he said.
Oladeji urged members and supporters of the party to disregard reports suggesting that Accord had entered into any agreement to support Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
He maintained that any official decision on the party’s electoral direction must emerge through its constitutional organs and recognised decision-making structures.
The development comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections intensify, with political parties and aspirants positioning themselves for the presidential and other elective contests.
Oladeji reiterated that Accord would maintain its independent political identity and pursue its electoral ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.