Christopher Imumolen, the Accord Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has withdrawn his support for Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and thrown his weight behind the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
Imumolen announced his position on Thursday during the APC’s final campaign rally in Osogbo, the state capital, where he described himself as the chairman of a faction of the Accord Party.
He said his faction had decided to discontinue its support for Adeleke, who is seeking a second term on the Accord platform, and directed its members across the state to vote for Oyebamiji in Saturday’s governorship election.
According to him, the decision was taken in consultation with members of his faction’s working committee.
“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,” Imumolen said.
He urged Accord supporters to mobilise at their respective polling units and cast their ballots for the APC candidate.
However, the Accord Party recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is headed by Maxwell Mgbudem and has officially endorsed Governor Adeleke for re-election.
Consequently, Imumolen’s declaration represents the position of a faction and does not constitute a formal reversal of the recognised Accord Party’s endorsement of Adeleke.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, with Adeleke and Oyebamiji among the leading contenders seeking to occupy the Osun State Government House.
Imumolen’s latest political realignment comes shortly after he announced his withdrawal from the 2027 presidential race and declared support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
Explaining that decision, he said national unity, political stability and sustained development should take precedence over individual political ambitions.
He also said his support for Tinubu was based on his assessment of the President’s leadership and ongoing reform programmes, which he believes should be given continued backing.
