The defection of the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and his Afrobeats star cousin, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, to the Accord Party has triggered fresh upheaval within the party, reopening an intense leadership tussle at the national level.
Adeleke defected to the Accord Party on December 10 and emerged as the party’s governorship candidate, while Davido announced his decision to join the party on Tuesday.
However, their entry has exposed deep divisions, with at least three factions laying claim to the party’s national leadership and expressing opposing views over the legitimacy of Adeleke’s membership and candidature.
The controversy was further heightened by the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Chris Imumolen, who also claimed to be the National Chairman.
Imumolen alleged that Adeleke’s defection did not follow the “due process” outlined in the party’s constitution.
In a counterstatement, a former member of the Board of Trustees, Rev Isaac Adeniyi, who described himself as the party’s National Coordinator, criticised Imumolen and distanced the party from his comments, describing them as reckless and misleading.
However, a check on the Independent National Electoral Commission website on Wednesday listed Maxwell Mgbudem as the National Chairman of the Accord Party.
Imumolen insisted that he remained the party’s lawful National Chairman, accusing rival factions of operating with the backing of compromised officials within INEC.
“Why is it now that they are claiming National Chairman? Is it now that Adeleke came? They were caretaker committee members. They have a relationship with someone in INEC who is influencing them to remain on the list,” he said.
Imumolen alleged that Adeleke joined the party “through the back door,” adding that the party already had a governorship candidate in Osun State.
He, however, welcomed Davido’s defection, describing it as beneficial publicity for the party.
“We have our candidate, Clement. Even if Governor Adeleke wins, he will not sit on that seat because other parties that understand that lacuna will use it against him legally.
“Davido is a star boy. His coming is promoting Accord, and we are enjoying that promotion, even though he came through that faction,” he added.
Imumolen further claimed that a court order had recognised him as National Chairman, alleging that the enforcement of the order was frustrated by what he described as vested interests.
Reacting in a telephone interview with our correspondent, Mgbudem said Imumolen and Adeniyi had been suspended and no longer had the right to speak for the party.
“For them (Governor Adeleke and Davido) to have joined the party is a welcome development. It shows that Accord is stable and focused.
“The Adeles’ entrance has opened up the party. Accord is going to win the upcoming election in Osun State. Imumolen is not a member of the party. He has been expelled and has no right to speak for the party,” he said.
Mgbudem stated that the party’s primary election was duly conducted, with INEC officials present, and that Adeleke was granted a waiver by the National Executive Committee to contest on the party’s platform.
He dismissed Imumolen’s claim of court recognition, alleging that the order was fraudulently obtained.
Mgbudem also denied Adeniyi’s claim to any leadership role, insisting that the Accord Party had no position known as National Coordinator and that a Board of Trustees had not been constituted.
Efforts to reach Adeniyi for clarification were unsuccessful.
However, a source close to him said he chose to remain silent due to a pending case at the Court of Appeal.
The source explained that the title of National Coordinator was adopted to avoid further public confusion amid ongoing legal disputes, adding that Adeniyi’s involvement in party leadership predated the arrival of Imumolen and the defection of Governor Adeleke.
The source further alleged that Imumolen’s opposition to Adeleke’s defection was driven by fears of losing relevance, noting that Adeleke’s political weight could shift negotiations and influence within the party.
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