The Professor Chris Imumolen-led Accord Party has denied any involvement in the decision reached at the Ibadan, Oyo State opposition parties’ summit to field a single presidential candidate, insisting that its name and symbol were used without authorisation and warning that it may pursue legal action against those responsible.
Imumolen, in a statement issued by the Accord Party National Secretary, Muktar Abdallah, described the use of the party’s flag at the summit as political impersonation rather than a misunderstanding.
The African Democratic Congress, led by David Mark, alongside the Peoples Democratic Party, backed by Governor Seyi Makinde and other opposition parties, met on Saturday in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, for an opposition summit.
In a communique released after the meeting, the opposition leaders agreed to present a joint presidential candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 election.
Reacting in a statement on Sunday, Imumolen clarified that the Accord Party is not part of any coalition with the ADC, PDP, or any allied group, and did not authorise the use of its name, symbol, or platform in any such arrangement.
The statement read, “This is not an oversight; it is a misrepresentation. The Accord Party will not be dragged into alliances it neither negotiated nor approved. What played out in Ibadan raises serious questions about the credibility and transparency of the coalition itself, if it must lean on the identity of parties that are not even at the table.
“The Accord Party remains focused on the 2027 general elections, with a clear ambition to present a presidential candidate under its own banner, not as a footnote in a hastily assembled coalition.
“Prof. Imumolen has therefore issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the conveners and participants of the Ibadan meeting to publicly explain how and why the Accord Party’s identity was used without consent. Failure to do so, will trigger immediate legal action against all individuals and groups involved.
“You cannot borrow legitimacy by force. Those responsible must either explain themselves or prepare to defend their actions in court.”
The Accord Party said it will strongly defend its identity, structure, and independence, and will not accept any attempt to use its platform for political convenience, whether openly or secretly.
