Accord Party Leadership Crisis Persists After Osun Election

The internal leadership struggle within the Accord party continues following the August 15 gubernatorial election in Osun State. Chris Imumolen, a factional National Chairman, stated during a press briefing in Abuja that the victory of Governor Ademola Adeleke does not resolve the party's national leadership crisis. Imumolen argues that the outcome of a single state election cannot determine who leads the party nationally, noting that the dispute between himself and rival claimant Maxwell Mgbudem is a separate legal matter that must be settled in court according to the party constitution.

While the Mgbudem faction nominated Governor Adeleke for the Osun election, Imumolen maintains that the judicial process will determine the rightful leadership. This internal friction coincides with external speculation regarding Governor Adeleke's political future. Following a visit by the governor to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, rumors surfaced that Adeleke intended to defect to the All Progressives Congress.

The Imole Campaign Council dismissed these rumors, with Media and Publicity Committee Chairman Bamidele Salam asserting that the visit to the president was a matter of political tradition. Salam stated the meeting focused on peace, security, and progress in Osun State, and explicitly denied that any discussions regarding decamping from Accord to the APC took place.