2023 Accord presidential candidate Imumolen backs APC’s Oyebamiji in Osun

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Accord, Christopher Imumolen, has declared support for the All Progressives Congress governorship candidate in Osun State, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

Imumolen announced his position on Thursday at the grand finale of the APC governorship campaign rally held in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

The politician, who described himself as the national chairman of a faction of Accord, said his group had withdrawn its support for the incumbent governor and Accord candidate, Ademola Adeleke.

He subsequently directed members of the party in Osun State to vote for Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO, at their various polling units during the election.

Imumolen declares support for Oyebamiji

Addressing supporters at the APC rally, Imumolen said he had decided to align his faction with the APC candidate after withdrawing support for Adeleke.

He said, “As the national chairman of the Accord party, with my working committee, who are all here, we have stepped down our support for Ademola Adeleke, and today we declare our support for AMBO [Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji].”

He further urged members of Accord across the state to support the APC candidate at the poll.

“Come on Saturday, all Accord members in Osun State should go to the polling units and vote for AMBO,” he said.

Imumolen’s declaration came as the APC intensified its campaign ahead of the governorship election, which is expected to be closely contested among the major political parties.

The endorsement is also significant because Imumolen contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of Accord and has continued to maintain a presence in the national political space.

Accord leadership backs Adeleke

However, Imumolen’s declaration does not represent the position of the Accord leadership recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The recognised national leadership of the party, led by Maxwell Mgbudem, has endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term.

Mgbudem and other party leaders have continued to reject Imumolen’s claim to the leadership of Accord, describing him as an expelled former member of the party.

The party has also dismissed his support for Oyebamiji, insisting that he has no authority to speak for Accord or direct its members on how to vote in the Osun election.

Accord maintained that the party has no faction and that the leadership headed by Mgbudem remains the legitimate authority recognised by INEC.

The disagreement has therefore created conflicting positions over where the party’s members should direct their votes when Osun residents go to the polls on Saturday.

While Imumolen has asked Accord members to support Oyebamiji, the recognised party leadership has remained firmly behind Adeleke.

Osun election enters final stage

The Osun governorship election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 15, with Adeleke seeking another term in office.

Oyebamiji is campaigning on the platform of the APC, while candidates from other political parties are also seeking to defeat the incumbent governor.

The final days of the campaign have witnessed intense political activities, with the major contenders seeking to consolidate their support across the state.

The competing positions within Accord could add another layer to the election, particularly as both camps claim legitimacy and support among party members.

The recognised Accord leadership has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission to remain neutral and conduct a credible election while calling on security agencies to maintain professionalism.

Imumolen backs Tinubu for 2027

Imumolen’s endorsement of Oyebamiji comes shortly after he announced his withdrawal from the 2027 presidential race.

The politician had last week declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, saying he had chosen national unity, stability and continued development over his personal political ambition.

He said his decision followed an assessment of Tinubu’s leadership and reform agenda.

Imumolen’s latest political moves have therefore seen him shift his support towards candidates of the APC at both the national and state levels.

With the Osun election only days away, attention will now turn to whether his endorsement of Oyebamiji will have any significant impact on voters and the wider political contest in the state.