Lagos Accord Leaders Ask Adeleke to Clarify Allegiance Over Tinubu’s 2027 Campaign Role

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.

 

The leaders, Oke Sewedo, a party leader in Lagos West Senatorial District, and Oladeji Oluwatosin, the Lagos State chairman of Accord, made the call in an open letter addressed to Adeleke and the party’s national leadership.

 

The letter, jointly signed by the two leaders 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 campaign could undermine the electoral prospects of Accord candidates in Osun and other parts of the country ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

Adeleke won the Osun governorship election on the platform of Accord, a victory the signatories described as a significant milestone for the party and its members.

 

According to them, the victory reinforced 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 the governor’s appointment to coordinate Tinubu’s presidential campaign had raised questions about his loyalty to Accord and his commitment to protecting the party’s 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 governor elected on Accord’s platform could coordinate the presidential campaign of a candidate from another party while Accord prepared its candidates for the same elections.

 

They warned that the development could weaken the party’s electoral chances, particularly in Osun, where its candidates would be seeking seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and other legislative offices.

 

They also argued that conflicting political signals could create uncertainty among voters and undermine the confidence of members who had invested their resources, time and influence in building the party.

 

“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 further warned that Adeleke’s reported role could erode the electoral advantage Accord candidates might derive from the governor’s support.

 

They stressed that their concerns were not driven by personal animosity, political envy or disrespect for the governor’s office, but by what they described as the responsibility of elected officials to the political platforms 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.

 

The leaders urged Adeleke to clarify his political position and demonstrate his commitment to Accord if he remained a member of the party.

 

They also called on him to reconsider his reported involvement in coordinating the presidential campaign of another party if he remained committed to 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 Lagos Accord leaders also urged the party’s national leadership to address the matter urgently, transparently and in accordance with due process and members’ rights.

 

They called on the leadership to issue a statement explaining the implications of Adeleke’s reported appointment to another party’s presidential campaign structure and to engage the governor formally to obtain an unequivocal clarification of his political allegiance.

 

They further asked the party to clarify the relevant provisions of its constitution and the lawful procedures available if a member’s political activities appeared inconsistent with the party’s interests.

 

The leaders also called for measures to protect Accord candidates at all levels, particularly those contesting legislative seats in Osun, and to reassure members nationwide that their contributions to the party would not be taken for granted.

 

Extending their concerns beyond Osun, they said Accord needed to preserve its credibility as an alternative political platform, warning that uncertainty among senior party figures could discourage grassroots members, weaken campaigns and undermine public confidence.

 

They added that Accord’s presidential candidate, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, and other recognised candidates needed a coherent political structure through which party leaders, members and campaign organisations could work towards the 2027 elections.

 

Reiterating their position, the leaders said their appeal was not intended to create political hostility or disrupt governance in Osun State, but to protect the party’s unity, integrity and electoral future.

 

“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,” they said.