Two leaders of the Accord Party in Lagos State have challenged 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 chieftain in Lagos West Senatorial District, and Oladeji Oluwatosin, the Lagos State chairman of Accord, said the reported appointment had raised questions about the governor’s commitment to the party on whose platform he won the Osun governorship election.
In an open letter jointly signed under the banner of Concerned Leaders of Accord, Lagos State, they warned 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.
They argued that the development was particularly concerning as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections, with candidates expected to contest seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and other legislative positions.
According to the leaders, Adeleke’s victory under Accord was a significant milestone that strengthened the party’s confidence in its capacity to provide an alternative platform for political development and good governance.
However, they questioned how a governor elected on the party’s platform could coordinate the presidential campaign of a candidate from another political party while Accord was preparing its own candidates for the same elections.
“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?” they asked.
The leaders warned that the reported arrangement could weaken Accord’s electoral prospects, particularly in Osun, where the party would be relying on its structures and supporters to secure legislative seats.
They also expressed concern that the situation could create confusion among voters and discourage party members who had invested time, resources and influence in building Accord.
They maintained that Adeleke’s reported political role could erode the advantage Accord candidates might otherwise derive from the support of a sitting governor elected on the party’s platform.
The signatories, however, stressed that their intervention was not motivated by personal animosity, political rivalry or disrespect for the governor’s office.
Rather, they described their concerns as legitimate questions about political accountability and the responsibility of elected officials to the platforms through which they secured their mandates.
“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,” they stated.
The Lagos Accord leaders urged Adeleke to publicly clarify his position and demonstrate his commitment to the party if he remained a member.
They also called on him to reconsider his reported participation in coordinating Tinubu’s campaign if he intended to remain committed to 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.
Beyond the governor, the leaders called on Accord’s national leadership to urgently address the controversy and explain the implications of his reported appointment to another party’s presidential campaign structure.
They urged the national leadership to engage Adeleke formally, obtain an unequivocal clarification of his political allegiance and explain the relevant provisions of the party’s constitution, including the procedures available where a member’s political activities appear inconsistent with the party’s interests.
They also demanded measures to protect Accord candidates at all levels, particularly those seeking legislative positions in Osun, while reassuring members nationwide that their contributions to the party would not be taken for granted.
The leaders further emphasised the need to protect Accord’s credibility as an alternative political platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
They said the party’s presidential candidate, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, and other recognised candidates needed a coherent political structure in which party leaders, members and campaign organisations could work towards their electoral objectives.
Reiterating their position, the signatories said their appeal was intended to protect the party’s unity, integrity and electoral future rather than create political hostility or disrupt governance in Osun State.
“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,” they said.
As of the time of the report, the letter did not contain a response from Adeleke or Accord’s national leadership to the concerns raised by the Lagos State leaders.
