The Accord Party has experienced a significant surge in nationwide membership following the defection of Osun Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to its platform. According to the party’s National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, Adeleke’s entry, alongside his associates and supporters, has boosted the party’s national profile and appeal. Mgbudem stated that thousands of Nigerians have joined the party across the country, attributing this growth to Governor Adeleke’s political influence and national appeal.
The party chairman addressed a press conference at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja to dismiss claims of factionalisation. He emphasized that the party remains united and focused on the upcoming elections, describing it as the “most peaceful, stable, united, progressive, and fastest growing political party in Nigeria today.” Mgbudem also highlighted that the party has no factions at all levels of leadership.
Mgbudem also used the opportunity to address the issue of the party’s former presidential candidate, Christopher Imumolen, who he claimed has been spreading misinformation and impersonating party leadership for political relevance. According to Mgbudem, Imumolen has been attempting to usurp positions within the party, despite being an expelled member. The chairman described Imumolen’s claims of being the party chairman and announcing another governorship candidate for Osun State as “baseless” and “a joke taken too far.”
The growth of the Accord Party has reportedly attracted the attention of political opportunists, with Mgbudem warning that the party will not be distracted by “political jobbers and anti-democratic and reactionary forces” seeking “cheap publicity and stomach infrastructure for personal aggrandisement.” The party’s focus remains on the upcoming elections, with Governor Adeleke emerging as the duly nominated candidate of Accord in the governorship primary monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The development is significant, as it positions the Accord Party as a major force ahead of the 2026 governorship election in Osun State. With its growing popularity and national acceptance, the party is poised to play a crucial role in the country’s democratic process. As the party continues to expand its membership and influence, it remains to be seen how it will navigate the complexities of Nigerian politics and maintain its unity and focus in the face of challenges from within and outside.
