By Abubakar Yunusa
The national leadership of the Accord Party on Thursday distanced itself from the purported endorsement of the Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, for a second term ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The party said it neither authorised nor directed its Abia State chapter to support the ruling Labour Party in the state.
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of the party, Joseph Omorogbe, Accord described Prof Christopher Imumolen and members of his group as expelled members and “political jobbers” who no longer have any standing in the party.
Omorogbe said Imumolen and his associates were expelled from Accord in 2024 over alleged anti-party activities.
He stated that their recent visit to Governor Otti at the Government House in Umuahia, where they reportedly endorsed the governor for a second term, was “null, void and of no effect whatsoever.”
The statement read, “Prof Christopher Imumolen and his co-travellers are not members of Accord, having been expelled from the party in 2024 for anti-party activities.
“It is obvious that non-members of a political party cannot speak, act, or endorse any aspirant for any elective position on behalf of the authentic leadership of the party.”
The party accused the expelled members of impersonating its leadership and attempting to mislead the public.
“What Imumolen and his co-travellers did in Umuahia is their usual showmanship and impersonation of the Accord leadership to hoodwink unsuspecting members of the public,” the statement added.
Accord further described the group as “political mercenaries roaming the democratic space seeking vulnerable politicians to exploit in this election season.”
The party said Governor Otti ought to have verified the authentic leadership of the party through the Independent National Electoral Commission, noting that Barrister Maxwell Mgbuden remains the recognised National Chairman of Accord.
According to the statement, only the National Executive Committee led by Mgbuden has the constitutional power to present candidates for elections at all levels.
The party urged Nigerians to disregard the endorsement, insisting that it was the handiwork of “political merchants” bent on creating division within the party.
It also advised journalists to always verify the authentic leadership of political parties with INEC before publishing reports capable of misleading the public.
Omorogbe maintained that Accord remains united under the leadership of Mgbuden and prepared for future elections.
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