“Where is your loyalty?” — Accord leaders question Adeleke over Tinubu campaign

Two leaders of the Accord Party in Lagos State have urged Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to clarify his political allegiance following his reported appointment as coordinator of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential campaign in Osun State. 

The call was made in an open letter to Mr Adeleke and the national leadership of the Accord Party by Oke Sewedo, a party leader in Lagos West Senatorial District, and Oladeji Oluwatosin, the Lagos State chairman of Accord.

The letter was signed under the platform of the Concerned Leaders of Accord, Lagos State.

The leaders said Mr Adeleke’s reported involvement in Tinubu’s re-election campaign had raised serious questions about his loyalty to Accord and the protection of the party’s electoral interests ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Mr Adeleke won the Osun governorship election on the platform of Accord, an outcome the signatories described as a major achievement for the party and its members.

They said the victory strengthened their belief that Accord could serve as a credible platform for political development, good governance and national transformation.

However, they questioned how a governor elected on the platform of one political party could coordinate the presidential campaign of a candidate belonging to another party while Accord prepares 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 warned that the situation could pose a serious threat to the electoral prospects of Accord candidates in Osun and across Nigeria.

Leaders fear impact on Accord candidates

The signatories said the development could particularly affect Accord candidates contesting seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and other legislative positions.

According to them, conflicting political signals could create uncertainty among voters and weaken the confidence of party members who had invested their time, resources and influence in building Accord.

They also argued that Mr Adeleke’s reported role could diminish the political advantage Accord candidates might otherwise enjoy from the support of a sitting governor elected on the party’s platform.

The leaders stressed that their concerns were not motivated by personal hostility or disrespect for the governor.

“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 said.

Adeleke asked to choose

The Accord leaders urged Mr Adeleke to publicly clarify his political position and demonstrate his commitment to the party if he remains an Accord member.

They also asked him to reconsider his participation in Tinubu’s campaign if he intends to remain committed to Accord.

“If you remain committed to Accord, we urge you to reconsider your participation in coordinating the presidential campaign of another party,” they said.

But if his political allegiance has shifted, they urged the governor to make that position known and follow the appropriate procedures under the party’s constitution and applicable law.

Accord national leadership urged to act

The Lagos leaders also called on Accord’s national leadership to urgently address the issue and explain the implications of Mr Adeleke’s reported appointment to Tinubu’s campaign structure.

They asked the party leadership to engage the governor formally and obtain an unequivocal clarification of his political allegiance.

They further urged the party to protect Accord candidates, particularly those contesting legislative positions in Osun, and reassure members that their contributions to the party would not be taken for granted.

The leaders said the issue extended beyond Mr Adeleke and Osun State, arguing that Accord must preserve its credibility as an alternative political platform ahead of 2027.

They also referenced Accord presidential candidate Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, saying the party needed a coherent structure in which its leaders, members and campaign organisations could work towards the election.

‘We are asking for clarity’

The signatories maintained that their appeal was not intended to create political hostility or disrupt governance in Osun State.

They said their objective was to protect the unity and electoral future of Accord.

“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.”

The development comes as Mr Adeleke has openly backed President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid. At the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council on Wednesday, the governor said four years was not enough for Tinubu’s reforms and declared that he was prepared to support the President’s second-term bid.

Interestingly, Accord National and State House of Assembly candidates in Osun have also publicly backed Mr Adeleke’s role and pledged to mobilise votes for President Tinubu.