No faction in Accord, chairman declares
The National Chairman of the Accord Party, Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem, has sad that there is no faction within the party, insisting that he remains the authentic national chairman duly recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Addressing a press conference at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja on Tuesday, Mgbudem dismissed claims of leadership crisis as falsehoods being peddled by expelled members seeking relevance and personal gain.
He described Accord as one of the most peaceful, stable, united and fastest-growing political parties in Nigeria, stressing that the leadership would not be distracted by what he termed “frivolities from political jobbers and nomads roaming the democratic space.”
Mgbudem alleged that the party’s former 2023 presidential candidate, Prof. Christopher Imumolen, was spreading misinformation after his expulsion for gross misconduct and anti-party activities.
He said Imumolen’s claims to the party’s chairmanship and alleged nomination of candidates were “hallucinations” with no legal or constitutional basis.
According to him, Accord held a valid national convention on July 28, 2024, at Nicon Luxury Hotel, Abuja, which was monitored by INEC, where the current National Working Committee was duly elected and sworn in.
Mgbudem reiterated that the party remains focused on upcoming elections, including the Osun governorship poll, council elections in the FCT, and preparations for the 2027 general elections.
“We urge the public and the media to disregard false claims. Accord is united, focused and moving forward,” he said.
The party has been embroiled in internal wrangling following the defection of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the state’s governorship election.
Adeleke had emerged as the party’s governorship candidate in Osun State under the leadership of Maxwell Mgbudem.
However, Imumolen declared Adeleke’s nomination “illegal,” insisting that the party’s authentic governorship candidate in the state is Clement Kolawole.