Accord dismisses Imumolen’s endorsement of APC’s Oyebamiji, says he has no structure

Accord has dismissed the endorsement of Bola Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in the Osun governorship election, by Christopher Imumolen, the party’s 2023 presidential candidate.

Earlier on Thursday, Imumolen, a factional chairman of Accord, attended the APC campaign rally in Osogbo, Osun, where he withdrew support for Ademola Adeleke, the incumbent governor of the state and endorsed Oyebamiji for the gubernatorial election scheduled for Saturday.

But in a statement, Maxwell Mgbudem, Accord national chairman, described Imumolen’s support for Oyebamiyi as inconsequential, adding that he lacks the electoral structure and influence required to sway voters.

Mgbudem said Imumolen was expelled from the party, noting that his appearance at the APC rally is evidence that he is no longer affiliated with Accord.

The Accord chairman said Imumolen “has no electoral value to influence any election in the country”, adding that he is a “political hireling and hustler seeking stomach infrastructure and has no political structure that will favour his preferred candidate in the election”.

“Osun State is an Accord stronghold. The people are in one accord with Governor Ademola Adeleke and will overwhelmingly vote for the party on Saturday, August 15,” Mgbudem said.

“It is obvious that Accord will secure a landslide victory in this election, which will further consolidate the party in the state and improve the delivery of democracy dividends to the people.”

Mgbudem alleged that the APC, fearing its “worst electoral defeat”, has resorted to violence, harassment and intimidation, as well as the use of the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to suppress the Osun state government, residents and Accord members in a bid to compromise the election in favour of the ruling party.

“The good people of Osun remain resolute, firm and steadfast in their support for Accord and their governor,” Mgbudem said.

He urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to be neutral and conduct a credible election.

Mgbudem asked the international community, including the European Union delegation to Nigeria, the African Union, ECOWAS, the United States of America and the United Kingdom, to “strictly monitor” the election and sanction anyone found wanting.