The national leadership of Accord has rejected the announced suspension of its national chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, by a faction loyal to the party’s former presidential candidate, Christopher Imumolen.

A group comprising some self-styled state chairmen had, on Thursday, declared Mgbudem suspended and appointed Imumolen—expelled from the party in 2024 for alleged gross misconduct—as the new national chairman.

But in a statement yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Joseph Omorogbe, described the action as “a joke taken too far”, insisting that non-members lack the authority to issue directives, let alone suspend a national chairman.

Omorogbe recalled that a suit earlier filed by Imumolen at an FCT High Court challenging Mgbudem’s leadership was struck out in July, and no appeal was entered thereafter. According to him, the ruling, coupled with Imumolen’s failure to contest his expulsion, means he “ceased to be a member of Accord”.

“It is evident that Chris Imumolen is no longer a member of our great party, Accord, let alone calling for a purported stakeholders’ meeting with political hirelings,” he said.

He described the latest move as a “cheap publicity stunt by a drowning man in search of relevance”, adding that the party would not be distracted by “expelled members and their sponsors” ahead of the 2027 general election.

Omorogbe reaffirmed that Mgbudem remains the legally recognised national chairman of Accord, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) still acknowledges his leadership.

“All members of the party are in one accord and will not be misled by false narratives being pushed to create an impression of leadership crisis where none exists,” he stated.

He urged the public and party faithful to disregard the announcement issued by Imumolen’s camp.