The Accord Party (AP) has criticised its 2023 presidential candidate, Chris Imumolen, for opposing the defection of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to the party.
Imumolen had publicly opposed Adeleke’s defection, insisting that it did not follow the due process stipulated by the party’s constitution. His position, however, has drawn sharp rebuke from the national leadership of the Accord Party.
In a statement issued on Monday, the National Coordinator of the party, Rev. Isaac Adeniyi, dissociated the party from Imumolen’s stance, describing his claims as “reckless and misleading.”
“Let it also be known that in trying to display his ignorance by challenging the legitimacy of Governor Ademola Adeleke’s victory at the Accord Party primary, Imumolen hurriedly went into a closet to organise a kangaroo primary elsewhere in Osun State, unknown to the public, proclaiming himself National Chairman and parading a disguised National Working Committee,” the statement read.
“The actions of Imumolen are illegal, null and void,” it added.
The Accord Party commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for recognising Governor Adeleke as the party’s legitimate candidate.
“It would be recalled that Governor Ademola Adeleke was duly registered at his ward as a member of the Accord Party, after which he purchased the nomination form. The party primary was conducted and witnessed by INEC officials, and he was subsequently elected as the party’s flag bearer,” the statement said.
The party further extended congratulations to Governor Adeleke on his emergence as the Accord Party’s governorship candidate.
“Finally, we congratulate Governor Adeleke for emerging as the governorship candidate of the Accord Party. Those sponsoring Imumolen know that Governor Adeleke will emerge victorious in the forthcoming Osun governorship election,” the statement added.