Imumolen Rejects Adeleke’s Accord Nomination Declares Kolawole Party’s Osun Candidate

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A new twist has emerged within the Accord Party as its factional National Chairman, Christopher Imumolen, has rejected claims that Ademola Adeleke has secured the party’s governorship ticket for the 2027 election in Osun State.

According to Imumolen, the process that reportedly produced Adeleke as the party’s flagbearer was not conducted by the legitimate leadership of the party and therefore lacks legal standing.

Kolawole Recognised as Accord’s Candidate

Instead of Adeleke, Imumolen affirmed that Clement Kolawole remains the authentic candidate representing the party for the upcoming election in Osun State.

He explained that Kolawole emerged through what he described as a properly organised primary election supervised by the faction of the party leadership he currently heads.

Concerns About Legitimacy

During an appearance on The Morning Brief on Channels Television, Imumolen questioned the legitimacy of the process that allegedly produced Adeleke.

He argued that the group responsible for Adeleke’s nomination does not represent the official leadership structure of the Accord Party. In his view, any decision taken by that group cannot be recognised by the party’s lawful authorities.

Efforts to Avoid Legal Disputes

Imumolen said the decision to organise a formal governorship primary was aimed at protecting the party from potential legal challenges in the future.

By conducting what he described as a credible and transparent primary election, the party leadership hoped to ensure that its candidate would not face disputes that could undermine the party’s chances during the election.

Origins of the Leadership Conflict

The Accord Party leader also provided insight into how the internal conflict began. He traced the disagreement to the party’s national convention held in July of the previous year.

According to him, the convention featured a contest for the position of national chairman between himself and a rival candidate aligned with a faction he referred to as the Maxwell group.

Imumolen claimed he won the election convincingly after receiving the backing of hundreds of delegates who participated in the voting process.

Turning to the Courts

Despite what he described as a clear victory, Imumolen said the opposing faction continued to present itself as the caretaker leadership of the party.

To resolve the dispute, he explained that his camp approached the courts to seek an official ruling that would clarify which leadership structure should be recognised.

Court Ruling and INEC Recognition

Following the legal proceedings, Imumolen said the court directed the Independent National Electoral Commission to acknowledge him as the National Chairman of the Accord Party.

He argued that this judicial decision confirms the legitimacy of the leadership that conducted the primary election producing Kolawole as the party’s candidate.

Adeleke’s Engagement With a Rival Faction

Imumolen further disclosed that when Governor Adeleke expressed interest in joining the Accord Party, attempts were made to brief him about the internal leadership dispute.

However, he claimed those efforts were unsuccessful, and the governor eventually interacted with the rival faction rather than the leadership recognised by the court.

Commentary and Analysis

The dispute within the Accord Party illustrates how internal leadership conflicts can complicate preparations for major elections. When factions emerge within a political organisation, competing claims about authority often lead to parallel decisions, including the nomination of candidates.

Such situations can create confusion among party supporters and voters while also increasing the likelihood of legal challenges before or after elections.

In the case of Osun State, the disagreement over whether Adeleke or Kolawole represents the party may ultimately require further clarification from regulatory institutions or the courts.

Political analysts often note that resolving internal disputes early is crucial for parties seeking to remain competitive. Without unity in leadership and candidate selection, parties risk weakening their electoral prospects long before the campaign season begins.