Two leaders of the Accord Party in Lagos State have urged Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to clarify his political allegiance following reports that he has been appointed coordinator of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign in Osun State.
The leaders, Oke Sewedo, a party leader in Lagos West Senatorial District, and Oladeji Oluwatosin, chairman of Accord in Lagos State, made the demand in an open letter addressed to Adeleke and the party’s national leadership.
The letter, jointly signed by the two officials under the platform of Concerned Leaders of Accord, Lagos State, was made available to the media.
They expressed concern that Adeleke’s reported involvement in Tinubu’s re-election campaign could affect the electoral prospects of Accord candidates in Osun State and other parts of the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Accord Leaders Question Adeleke’s Political Allegiance
The signatories noted that Adeleke won the Osun governorship election on the platform of Accord, describing his victory as a significant achievement for the party and its members.
According to them, the victory strengthened their belief that Accord could serve as a credible platform for political development, good governance, exemplary leadership and national transformation.
However, they said reports of Adeleke’s appointment as coordinator of Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign in Osun had raised questions about his commitment to the party and its electoral interests.
“Your Excellency, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, contested and won the Osun State governorship election on the platform of the Accord Party.
“That victory was not merely a personal achievement; it was also a significant moment for our party and its members, who believed that Accord could provide a fertile and credible platform for grooming great political minds and careers, good governance, exemplary leadership and political change, that will birth the new Nigeria of our national dream.
“However, the recent announcement naming Your Excellency as the Osun State coordinator of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign has understandably raised serious questions among party faithful,” the letter stated.
The leaders questioned how a sitting governor elected on Accord’s platform could coordinate the presidential campaign of a candidate from another political party while Accord prepares its candidates for the same general elections.
2027 Elections: Fears Over Accord Candidates
Sewedo and Oluwatosin warned that the reported appointment could create uncertainty within Accord and potentially affect its candidates contesting legislative seats in Osun State.
They specifically expressed concern about the party’s prospects in elections for the Senate, House of Representatives and other legislative positions.
According to the leaders, Adeleke’s reported role in Tinubu’s campaign could also weaken the electoral advantage Accord candidates might derive from the governor’s political influence and support.
They argued that conflicting political signals from a sitting governor elected on the party’s platform could undermine the confidence of members who had invested their time, resources and influence in building Accord.
“The concern is straightforward: how can a sitting governor elected under Accord simultaneously coordinate the presidential campaign of a candidate belonging to another political party, while Accord itself is preparing its candidates and supporters for the same general election?
“This portends grave danger to the electoral aspiration and prospect of Accord candidates in Osun State and Nigeria at large,” they said.
The signatories, however, stressed that their concerns were not motivated by personal animosity, political rivalry or disrespect for the governor’s office.
Instead, they said the matter concerned the responsibility of elected officials to the political parties through which they secured their mandates.
They added that Adeleke’s political commitments could have implications for party members, candidates, campaign structures and Accord’s credibility among voters.
“These concerns are not accusations of wrongdoing. They are legitimate political questions that deserve a clear response from both the governor and the party leadership,” the letter stated.
Lagos Accord Leaders Ask Adeleke to Reconsider Campaign Role
The two Lagos Accord leaders urged Adeleke to publicly clarify his political position and demonstrate his commitment to the party if he remained a member.
They also asked the governor to reconsider his reported involvement in coordinating Tinubu’s presidential campaign if he intended to continue working within Accord.
“If you remain committed to Accord, we urge you to reconsider your participation in coordinating the presidential campaign of another party and to demonstrate, through your public engagements and political commitments, that you remain supportive of Accord’s electoral interests.
“If your political allegiance has genuinely shifted elsewhere, we respectfully urge you to make your position clear and take the appropriate steps in accordance with the party’s constitution and applicable law, rather than leave members and candidates in a state of uncertainty,” they said.
The leaders maintained that a clear statement from Adeleke would help address concerns among party members and provide greater certainty ahead of the 2027 elections.
Accord National Leadership Asked to Intervene
Beyond the governor, the signatories called on Accord’s national leadership to address the issue urgently, transparently and in accordance with due process and members’ rights.
They urged the party leadership to issue a statement explaining the implications of Adeleke’s reported appointment to the campaign structure of another political party.
They also called for formal engagement with the governor to obtain an unequivocal clarification of his political allegiance.
In addition, they asked the national leadership to explain the relevant provisions of Accord’s constitution and the lawful procedures available if a member’s political activities appeared inconsistent with the party’s interests.
The leaders further urged the party to introduce measures to protect Accord candidates at all levels, particularly those seeking legislative seats in Osun State.
They said the party needed to reassure members nationwide that their contributions to building its structures and supporting its candidates would not be taken for granted.
Accord Leaders Emphasise Party Unity Ahead of 2027
The Lagos officials said their concerns extended beyond Adeleke and Osun State, arguing that Accord needed to preserve its credibility as an alternative political platform ahead of the next general elections.
They warned that uncertainty surrounding the political commitments of senior party figures could discourage grassroots members, weaken campaign structures and undermine public confidence in the party.
The leaders also referenced Accord’s presidential candidate, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, and other recognised candidates, saying they needed a coherent political structure in which party leaders, members and campaign organisations could work towards the 2027 elections.
They reiterated that their appeal was not intended to provoke political hostility or disrupt governance in Osun State.
Rather, they said, the objective was to protect Accord’s unity, integrity and electoral future while ensuring that members and candidates understood the party’s political direction.
“We are not asking for political hostility. We are asking for clarity.
“We are not seeking personal confrontation. We are seeking accountability to the political platform under which you were elected.
“And we are not calling for the disruption of governance in Osun State. We are calling for the protection of the integrity, unity and electoral future of the Accord,” the letter added.
The Lagos Accord leaders’ appeal places the reported Tinubu campaign appointment at the centre of questions about party loyalty, political alignment and the preparations of Accord candidates for the 2027 general elections.
However, the claims concerning Adeleke’s reported campaign role and the potential implications for Accord remain the concerns expressed by the letter’s signatories. The governor’s response was not included in the statement provided.