Accord Party in Disarray: Imumolen's Chairmanship Challenged Amid Judicial Orders and APC Support Dispute

The Accord Party is currently embroiled in a significant and protracted leadership crisis, characterized by conflicting claims to its national chairmanship between Chief Maxwell Mgbudem and Prof. Chris Imumolen. This internal discord recently escalated following Prof. Imumolen's public endorsement of Bola Oyebamiyi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.

Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, recognized as the national chairman of Accord, swiftly dismissed Imumolen's endorsement in a statement issued. Mgbudem asserted that Imumolen, who was previously expelled as the party's 2023 presidential candidate, no longer represents Accord and therefore cannot speak on its behalf. The party described Imumolen as a "political hireling and hustler" with no electoral influence or political structure capable of impacting the Osun election outcome. Mgbudem's faction further stated that Imumolen's appearance at an APC campaign rally in Osogbo, where he declared support for Oyebamiyi, served as clear evidence that he was no longer a member of Accord. The party also rejected any notion of a "factional chairman" within its ranks, insisting that there was no faction and that Osun State remains one of its political strongholds, with residents firmly backing Governor Ademola Adeleke. Accord expressed confidence in achieving a landslide victory in the upcoming election, which it believes will consolidate its position and enhance the delivery of democratic dividends to the state's residents.

Furthermore, Accord accused the APC of resorting to violence, intimidation, and harassment due to fears of electoral defeat. The party alleged that federal institutions, specifically the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), had been deployed to suppress the Osun State Government, its residents, and Accord members in an attempt to manipulate the election. Accord urged the Independent National Commission (INEC) to maintain neutrality and conduct a free and credible election. It similarly called upon security agencies to remain impartial and professional in their statutory duties before, during, and after the election. The party also appealed to the international community, including the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, the African Union, ECOWAS, the United States, and the United Kingdom, to closely monitor the election and impose sanctions on anyone found to have violated electoral rules. Accord's confidence in victory was attributed to Governor Adeleke’s achievements and transformational leadership in Osun State.

Conversely, Prof. Chris Imumolen, who claims the title of Factional National Chairman of Accord, provided a robust defense of his leadership, emphasizing that his position is anchored on valid judicial orders and established internal party structures, rather than self-declaration. Imumolen clarified his stance in a statement issued amid the ongoing leadership crisis, which originated from the party's July 2024 national convention that yielded competing claims to the national chairmanship between his faction and that of Maxwell Mgbudem. He specifically cited an interim order granted by Justice M.M. Adamu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, on August 29 and 30, 2024, in Suit No. FCT/HC/M/11850/2024. According to Imumolen, this court order directed INEC to recognize him as the National Chairman of Accord, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit, and also restrained the defendants from parading themselves as the National Executive Committee or conducting state and local government congresses.

Imumolen acknowledged that the opposing faction subsequently challenged his position, relying on later court proceedings and orders. He stressed that the Accord leadership question remains contested and cannot be responsibly settled through political propaganda or unilateral declarations by either faction. He urged all stakeholders to distinguish between court orders that have been issued, subsequent challenges to those orders, and matters that are still pending before the judiciary. Imumolen argued that his claim to the National Chairmanship has a clear judicial history and therefore cannot be accurately described as a self-appointed position. He maintained that the decisive evidence in the leadership dispute should be the certified court orders, judgments, and enrolled orders issued by the FCT High Court, Federal High Court, and Court of Appeal, rather than statements from either faction. He also clarified that the interim order was made pending the determination of the substantive dispute, noting that its existence did not extinguish the underlying controversy. He maintained that his purported expulsion could not legally determine who was entitled to occupy the party’s national chairmanship while the leadership dispute was before competent courts, asserting that any such expulsion must comply with the party’s constitution, electoral laws, and judicial decisions. Imumolen further claimed substantial support among members of the National Working Committee and reiterated his commitment to abiding by the eventual outcome of the legal battles, expressing confidence that certified court records would ultimately vindicate his mandate. The ongoing legal battles highlight the deep divisions within the Accord Party as it navigates its future leadership.