*Prof. Chris Imumolen, fractional National Chairman of the Accord Party, warns Governor Ademola Adeleke’s latest election victory in Osun State of Nigeria doesn’t end Accord Party’s leadership legal battle, alleging the governor’s alliance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is driven by political, legal calculations towards avoiding political confrontation in the aftermath of governorship election
Alexander Davis | ConsumerConnect
The Prof. Chris Imumolen, fractional National Chairman of the Accord Party, has alleged the reported political alignment of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, may be driven by both “strategic considerations” and the unresolved leadership crisis within the ruling party in the South-West party.
The factional National Chairman noted this in a statement titled: “Two Reasons Gov. Adeleke is Endorsing President Bola Tinubu”, and issued Sunday, August 16, 2026, in Abuja, FCT.
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Prof. Imumolen contended that Governor Adeleke’s current alignment with President Tinubu could be a strategic move aimed at avoiding political confrontation in the aftermath of the Osun governorship election, and amid the ongoing political contest in the state.
The faction leader of the Accord Party hinted the second factor is the current legal battle over the national leadership of the Accord Party between his faction and the group, led by Maxwell Mgbudem.
He also stated the political stakes in Osun intensified after his faction withdrew its support for Adeleke, and aligned with Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, during the party’s mega rally in the state last week.
According to him, the political battle surrounding Adeleke extends beyond the outcome of the governorship election to the unresolved legal dispute over the leadership of the Accord Party.
While the Mgbudem-led faction backed Adeleke during the election, Prof. Imumolen maintained that his faction remains the legitimate and recognised executive structure of the party in the state.
According to him, a court victory for his faction could have significant implications beyond the internal affairs of Accord, potentially raising questions about the legal foundation on which Adeleke contested the election.
Prof. Imumolen also asjed: “Could Adeleke’s political calculation be influenced by the possibility that the Accord leadership dispute may ultimately be determined by the courts?
“That is the question Osun people should be asking.”
The leader of the faction of Accord Party, however, cautioned against assuming that a favourable court judgment for his faction would automatically result in Adeleke’s removal from office in the state.
He rather explained that the ultimate consequences would depend on the specific orders contained in the court’s judgment, the applicable provisions of the Electoral Act, and other relevant legal considerations in Nigeria.
Said he: “What is clear is that the political battle has had two fronts: the ballot box and the courtroom.”
Imumolen averred though the election result could determine the winner at the polls, it would not necessarily extinguish the separate legal dispute over the leadership of the political party under whose platform the election was contested.
He noted: “The ballot may produce a winner, but the court will determine the legal consequences.”
Imumolen, however, reaffirmed his faction’s support for President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Adeleke may not escape legal battle over Accord Party’s leadership: Jagunmolu
It is recalled that Israel Jagunmolu, chieftain of Accord Party, in Lagos State, ahead of last Saturday’s gubernatorial election, earlier had expressed doubt over the chances of Governor Ademola Adeleke, the candidate of the party for Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State staying in office beyond 2026.
He also argued that should Adeleke win the August 15 polls, which the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Sunday, August 16, declared that he won, the governor might not escape the ongoing legal battle over the leadership of the Accord Party.
Adeleke reportedly, had scaled through the Appeal Court, and the matter may soon be decided by the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Jagunmolu in a statement last Wednesday, even predicted defeat for Adeleke in the governorship polls.
He had explained the incumbent Governor of Osun Stated would either lose at the polls, or face defeat through “the ongoing legal battle”.
He said the prediction was based on the position of Prof. Imumolen, whom he described as the factional National Chairman of the Accord Party.
According to Jagunmolu, Imumolen then, was confident that Adeleke would not secure victory in the gubernatorial election.
He also contended that even victory at the polls would not end the legal challenges surrounding the political contest.
Jagunmolu as well quoted Prof. Imumolen to have said: “Adeleke will lose at the polls.
“And if, against all expectations, he wins, the Accord leadership case will ultimately defeat him in court.”
Jagunmolu said the leadership dispute within the Accord Party had resulted in legal proceedings involving rival factions of the party.
He as well emphasised that the matter, following proceedings at the Court of Appeal, is now before the Federal High Court, in Abuja, FCT.
The Accord Party chieftain said the legal battle was significant because it centred on the leadership and structure of the party and the authority of the respective factions to exercise the party’s political mandate.
Jagunmolu again, quoted Imumolen as expressing confidence that the court would rule in favour of his faction.
Imumolen reportedly asserted: “We are expecting victory in the judgment very soon.”
Jagunmolu added that the outcome of the legal proceedings could have implications for the political contest, insisting that Adeleke’s alleged vulnerability extended beyond the ballot box in Osun State.