Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and the national leadership of the Accord Party (AP) have endorsed President Bola Tinubu as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The endorsement followed a meeting held on Saturday night in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, involving the governor and top party officials.
Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for Adeleke’s re-election campaign, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday.
According to Olajengbesi, the meeting covered key national and party matters, including the case for allowing the Tinubu administration to complete ongoing infrastructure projects.
“The leadership of the party said it is important that the Tinubu administration completes all the roads and infrastructure projects it has commenced such as the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway,” the statement read.
Accord Leaders Also Review Osun Governorship Race
The meeting also reviewed preparations for the upcoming Osun State governorship election.
Olajengbesi said Accord Party leaders appealed for a peaceful process, warning against violence, voter intimidation, electoral manipulation and the use of security agencies to harass party members.
He said the party called on stakeholders to ensure the governorship poll runs freely, fairly and credibly.
Officials present included National Chairman Maxwell Mgbudem, Deputy National Chairman Maryam Sale, National Secretary Ajaja Abiola Adebukola, National Treasurer Abdulazeez Oyeniyi Salaudeen, National Organising Secretary Ibe Thankgod and National Publicity Secretary Omorogbe Joseph, alongside state chairmen from across the country.
Rival Group Rejects Endorsement, Cites Court Case
However, the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM) has rejected the reported endorsement, describing the Osogbo gathering as unconstitutional and without political weight.
In a Monday statement from its National Coordinator, the group said Dr. Gbenga Hashim remains the Accord Party’s rightful presidential candidate.
GHSM said Hashim emerged through a nationwide direct primary held on May 30, 2026, in line with the Electoral Act and INEC guidelines.
“No meeting convened outside the constitutional structures of the Accord Party can extinguish the mandate freely given to Dr. Hashim,” the group said.
It described the Tinubu endorsement as “null and without political consequence,” alleging efforts to undermine Hashim’s presidential bid.
The group also accused Adeleke of anti-party activities, alleging that state resources were being used to influence the party’s internal affairs.
“Accord belongs to its members, not to politicians seeking temporary political advantage,” the statement added.
GHSM said it remains confident Hashim will win the 2027 presidential election, describing him as a credible candidate capable of uniting Nigerians, and said supporters across all 774 local government areas would step up mobilisation efforts.
The group disclosed that the dispute over the party’s presidential nomination is before the Federal High Court in Abuja, where proceedings have concluded and judgment is pending.
It cautioned against pronouncements on matters still before the court, saying Hashim would pursue every available legal channel.
“The 2027 election will not be decided in government houses. It will be decided by Nigerians,” the group said.
