Factional National Chairman of the Accord Party, Prof. Chris Imumolen, has declared that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s electoral victory in Osun State does not resolve the party’s protracted leadership crisis, vowing to pursue the matter through the judicial system.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Imumolen urged party members and stakeholders to remain calm and allow the legal process to unfold. He warned against conflating the Osun governorship election with the national leadership dispute, which predates Adeleke’s association with the party.
Imumolen referenced an August 29, 2024 interim order by the Federal Capital Territory High Court, presided over by Justice M. M. Adamu, in a suit filed against Maxwell Mgbudem and others. The court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognize him as National Chairman pending determination of the substantive case.
“The proper place to determine who is legally entitled to lead Accord is the court, not the street, not political propaganda and not an election campaign,” Imumolen stated. “Let me therefore make this absolutely clear, that Osun election is an election. The Accord leadership dispute is a national party and legal matter. They are two different issues.”
He insisted the national leadership question remains subject to appropriate legal process regardless of the Osun outcome. “Accord is a national political party. Its national leadership cannot be reduced to the political circumstances or outcome of an election in one state,” he said.
Imumolen called on all stakeholders to refrain from attempting to settle the leadership question through political pressure, media campaigns, or unilateral declarations. “Our commitment to Accord remains intact. Our commitment to the rule of law remains absolute. We shall continue to pursue the judicial process until the legitimate leadership question is finally settled,” he added.
The leadership dispute has persisted through multiple court proceedings, with competing factions claiming authority over the party’s national structure. INEC’s recognition of the party’s authentic leadership carries significant implications for candidate nominations, primary Elections, and the party’s participation in future electoral cycles.
Legal analysts note that the court’s interim order remains in effect until the substantive suit is concluded, a process that could extend for months. The outcome will determine which faction controls the party’s national secretariat, its relationship with the electoral commission, and its strategic direction ahead of upcoming electoral timelines.
