By GRANT ONYEKE

Accord party has distanced itself from its 2023 presidential candidate, Chris Imumolen, over his support to the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the Osun governorship election.

This is contained in a statement issued by the party’s National Chairman, Mr Maxwell Mgbudem, on Thursday in Abuja.

Mgbudem said that Imumolen’s appearance at an APC rally in Osogbo did not represent the position of the party, emphasising that Accord operated as a unified body with no recognised factions.

The National Chairman labelled the use of the title ‘factional chairman’ a ‘pure delusion’, emphasising that the party remained united under a single leadership recognised by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“Imumolen is a political hireling and hustler seeking stomach infrastructure and has no political structure that will favour his preferred candidate in the election,” Mgbudem stated.

According to him, Osun remains a Accord’s stronghold, noting that the electorate stand firmly with Adeleke ahead of the governorship election.

“The good people of Osun remain resolute, firm and steadfast in their support for Accord and their governor.

“Osun State is an Accord stronghold; the people are in one accord with Gov. Ademola Adeleke and will overwhelmingly vote for the party on Saturday, Aug.15,” he said.

Mgbudem called on INEC and security agencies to maintain neutrality, professionalism and impartiality throughout the exercise.

“The party urges INEC to be neutral and conduct a credible election, and also urges security agencies to be impartial and professional in the discharge of their statutory responsibilities,” he stated.

He also called for close monitoring of the election by international observers and that necessary sanction should be imposed on any individual attempting to sabotage the democratic process.

“Let the Osun State governorship election set a new national standard in the conduct of elections in Nigeria,” Mgbudem said. (NAN)