Fresh Crisis Rocks Accord Party: Imumolen Faction Denounces Adeleke’s Candidacy, Insists on Bamigbola as Flagbearer

By Emmanuel Kwada 

The Accord Party is embroiled in a deepening leadership crisis as Professor Christopher Imumolen, a factional National Chairman and the party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has vehemently rejected Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s gubernatorial candidacy for the 2026 election, declaring Clement Bamigbola as the authentic flagbearer.

In a strongly worded statement, Imumolen asserted: “Accord Party, under my leadership as the National Chairman, has its candidate, Clement Bamigbola, as the gubernatorial candidate, not Governor Adeleke.” He accused Adeleke’s defection and emergence as a “backdoor entry” that violated party constitution and due process.

The controversy stems from parallel primaries conducted by rival factions. The faction aligned with Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem produced Adeleke as consensus candidate in a primary monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which subsequently recognized him as the party’s flagbearer.

However, Imumolen’s group held a separate exercise, affirming Bamigbola Clement (also referred to as Clement Kolawole in some reports) as their candidate.

Imumolen’s faction has faulted INEC for allegedly ignoring a subsisting court judgment from the Federal Capital Territory High Court recognizing him as the legitimate National Chairman.

They claim proper notification was given for their primary, describing INEC’s acceptance of Adeleke’s candidacy as biased.

In swift rebuttal, the Mgbudem-led faction, through National Coordinator Rev. Isaac Adeniyi, disowned Imumolen, labeling his actions “illegal, null, and void.”

Adeniyi described Imumolen’s primary as a “kangaroo” exercise and commended INEC for upholding Adeleke’s nomination. “Governor Adeleke was duly registered and emerged through consensus,” the statement read, warning the public against associating with Imumolen’s group.

The crisis traces back to months of internal wrangling, with stakeholders previously suspending Mgbudem and affirming Imumolen, citing court orders. Despite this, INEC continues to engage the Mgbudem faction, allowing parallel structures to persist.

Political analysts warn that the dispute could escalate to litigation, potentially derailing Adeleke’s re-election bid under Accord.

Adeleke defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in November 2025, citing unresolved national crises, and formally joined Accord on November 6.

The Osun Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has disowned Imumolen’s faction, endorsing Pastor Victor Akande as the recognized state chairman and Adeleke as the lawful candidate.

As the August 8, 2026, governorship election approaches, the Accord Party’s internal turmoil highlights broader challenges of factionalism in Nigeria’s smaller parties, raising questions about Adeleke’s political stability despite his performance-focused campaign.