By Lanre Akinpelu/Babs-Oluribigbe Adeoye
The ACCORD on Sunday held its South-West Stakeholders and Delegates Meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, where leaders and members from across the region deliberated on key political developments, including the recent defection of Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, to the party.
Delegates from the South-West states attended the meeting, which ended with a strong show of unity and renewed commitment to strengthening the party ahead of forthcoming elections.
The meeting expressed satisfaction with Governor Adeleke’s decision to adopt the ACCORD as the platform for his re-election bid and resolved to embark on aggressive grassroots mobilisation to ensure victory at the Osun governorship election slated for August 2026.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, stakeholders unanimously endorsed Governor Nurudeen Jackson Ademola Adeleke as the ACCORD’s governorship candidate in Osun State and also affirmed him as the party’s national leader.
The communiqué urged the governor to use his leadership position to resolve all internal disagreements within the party and reposition it for growth and electoral success nationwide.
The delegates further declared that Governor Adeleke’s candidature faces no obstacle within the party, noting that members from all tendencies and former factions have closed ranks in support of his ambition.
The meeting also formally disowned Mr. Segun Fanibe, a former chairman of the party in Osun State, clarifying that he had resigned his membership since 2018 and therefore no longer represents the interests or position of the ACCORD.
Earlier, the National Vice-Chairman of the party (South-West), Mogaji Igbinsola Sunday Paul, addressed journalists, describing the meeting as a turning point for the party in the region.
“I joined ACCORD on October 22, 2010, and that makes it 15 years. I have never defected to any other party. I remain steadfast in ACCORD because it is the only credible alternative that can rescue the hope of Nigerian citizens,” he said.
Speaking on the current status of the party, Mogaji Paul noted that ACCORD has been significantly strengthened by the entry of a sitting governor.
“Today, we thank God that we now have a sitting governor in ACCORD, in the person of Ademola Adeleke of Osun State. By his decamping from the PDP to ACCORD, he has become our national leader,” he stated.
Commenting on the future of political parties in Nigeria, the national vice-chairman lamented what he described as instability within the dominant parties.
“The political parties are not stable. Nigerians are yet to enjoy true democracy from the so-called PDP and APC. In moments like this, the nation must look for a credible alternative, and ACCORD remains the only party that can restore and renew genuine hope for Nigerians,” he said.
On Oyo State, Mogaji Paul expressed optimism about the party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“For Oyo State, we are hopeful. ACCORD is gaining ground, and by next year, a very viable candidate will emerge to fly our flag. By the grace of God, Accord is coming to power in 2027,” he added.
The Ibadan meeting concluded with a call for unity, loyalty, and sustained mobilisation across the South-West as the party prepares for future electoral contests
