Two leaders of the Accord 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 re-election 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 demand in an open letter addressed to Adeleke and the party’s national leadership.
The duo, who signed the letter under the platform of Concerned Leaders of Accord, Lagos State, warned that the governor’s reported involvement in Tinubu’s campaign could undermine the electoral chances of Accord candidates in Osun and other parts of the country.
They noted that Adeleke won the Osun governorship election on the platform of Accord, describing his victory as a significant milestone for the party and its members.
According to them, the victory strengthened their belief that Accord could serve as a credible platform for good governance, exemplary leadership and political transformation.
However, they said reports of Adeleke’s appointment to coordinate Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign had raised concerns 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 leaders said.
They questioned how Adeleke could coordinate the presidential campaign of a candidate from another political party while remaining governor on Accord’s platform and preparing to support the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections.
The leaders warned that the reported arrangement could jeopardise Accord’s electoral prospects, particularly in Osun, where its candidates would contest seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and other legislative offices.
They also argued that the conflicting political signals could confuse voters and weaken the confidence of party 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 stated.
The signatories further warned that Adeleke’s reported role could deprive Accord candidates of the political advantage they might gain from the governor’s popularity and electoral support.
They stressed, however, that their concerns did not stem from personal animosity, political envy or disrespect for the governor’s office.
Instead, they said the issue centred on the responsibility of elected officials to the political parties under whose platforms they secured their mandates.
They added that uncertainty over Adeleke’s political commitments could affect 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 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 him to reconsider his reported involvement in coordinating Tinubu’s presidential campaign if he intended to remain 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 leaders also called on Accord’s national leadership to address the matter urgently and transparently, while respecting due process and the rights of party members.
They urged the national leadership to issue a statement explaining the implications of Adeleke’s reported appointment and formally engage the governor to obtain an unequivocal clarification of his political allegiance.
They further asked the leadership to clarify the relevant provisions of the party’s constitution and the lawful procedures available if a member’s political activities appeared inconsistent with Accord’s interests.
The signatories also urged the party to introduce measures to protect its candidates at all levels, particularly those contesting legislative seats in Osun, and reassure members nationwide that their contributions would not be taken for granted.
They said the concerns extended beyond Adeleke and Osun, arguing that Accord needed to preserve its credibility as an alternative political platform.
According to them, uncertainty surrounding the political commitments of senior party figures could discourage grassroots members, weaken campaigns and erode public confidence in the party.
They also stressed the need for Accord’s presidential candidate, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, and other recognised candidates to operate within a coherent political structure ahead of the 2027 elections.
The leaders maintained that their appeal was not intended to provoke political hostility or disrupt governance in Osun but to protect Accord’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.
