The Accord Party faction rejected the Ibadan opposition coalition meeting

The Chris Imumolen-led Accord Party has distanced itself from a meeting of opposition political parties held on Saturday in Ibadan, Oyo State.

The group accused the party’s name and logo of being used without permission.

Imumolen, in a statement issued on Sunday in Abuja by the faction’s National Secretary, Muktar Abdallah, said the party remains independent and focused on fielding its own presidential candidate in the 2027 elections.

The coalition of opposition parties, at the end of its summit in Ibadan, decided to work towards presenting a single presidential candidate to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the coalition stated that the proposed consensus candidate would be mutually agreed upon and supported by all participating opposition parties.

Prominent opposition figures reportedly involved in the coalition include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labor Party 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, former Senate President, David Mark, former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, and former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola.

However, Imumolen issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the organizers of the Ibadan meeting to explain publicly how and why the Accord Party’s identity was used without its consent.

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The professor described the inclusion of the party flag in the coalition as “political impersonation and misrepresentation,” and stressed that it was “not a misunderstanding.”

“Failure to do this will trigger immediate legal action against all individuals and groups involved.

“You cannot borrow legitimacy with force. Those responsible must explain themselves or be prepared to defend their actions in court,” he said.

Imumolen emphasized that the party is not part of any coalition involving the African Democratic Congress (ADC), People’s Democratic Party (PDP), or any allied bloc, and has never authorized the use of its name, symbols, or platform in any such arrangement.

“This is not a mistake; this is a misinterpretation. The Accord Party will not be dragged into an alliance that is not negotiated or agreed to,” he added.

He said developments at the Ibadan meeting raised concerns about the credibility and transparency of the coalition, especially if the coalition relied on the identities of parties that were not present in the discussions.

Imumolen reiterated his party’s independent political direction, stressing his determination to contest the 2027 elections under his own platform.

“The Accord Party remains focused on the 2027 elections, with a clear ambition to present a presidential candidate under its own banner, rather than as a footnote in a hastily formed coalition.

“The party will vigorously protect its political identity, structure and independence, and will not tolerate any attempt, whether subtle or brazen, to exploit its platform for political convenience.

“As Nigeria moves towards 2027, the party will engage Nigerians on its own terms, not through artificial partisanship or backdoor coalitions,” the Accord Party chairman concluded.