The Lagos State Chairman of Accord, Dele Oladeji, has denied reports that the party endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.

Oladeji, who is also Secretary of the Forum of Accord Party Chairmen in Southern Nigeria, described the claim as false and said it did not reflect any decision reached by the party’s leadership.

He made the clarification on Sunday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), while reacting to comments attributed to Prof. Christopher Imumolen, a factional presidential candidate of the party.

Imumolen had reportedly claimed that Accord was supporting Tinubu’s bid to remain in office beyond 2027.

Oladeji said no meeting of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) had considered or approved an endorsement of Tinubu since preparations for the 2027 general elections began.

He maintained that any claim suggesting otherwise was not authorised by the party.

“Accord did not and will not endorse Tinubu for a second term. Any person claiming otherwise is playing politics or engaging in anti-party activities,” he said.

The party chairman described Imumolen’s alleged declaration of support for Tinubu as a personal position designed to attract public attention rather than an expression of Accord’s official policy.

Oladeji also challenged Imumolen’s claim to the Accord presidential candidacy, accusing him of impersonating the party’s recognised presidential candidate.

He further questioned Imumolen’s membership of the party, alleging that his name was not contained in Accord’s current membership register.

According to Oladeji, the membership register under which Imumolen was previously listed had been replaced following the introduction of a new register by the party’s national leadership in 2023.

“His name is not on the Accord membership register, as the register he was on had been phased out,” he said.

Oladeji challenged Imumolen to produce evidence of his current membership of Accord, as well as proof of his participation in recognised party structures and NEC meetings.

He said such evidence should include the relevant membership register and records or photographs showing his participation in NEC meetings attended by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The Lagos chairman said Accord remained focused on participating fully in the 2027 elections and would present candidates for elective positions at various levels.

He said the party intended to contest seats in state Houses of Assembly, governorships, the House of Representatives, the Senate and the presidency.

“Accord candidates will contest every elective position in the country, including the presidential election,” he said.

Oladeji argued that endorsing the presidential candidate of another political party would be inconsistent with Accord’s identity and electoral objectives.

He said the party would instead maintain its independence and pursue its own political agenda ahead of the 2027 elections.

The chairman urged members and supporters of Accord to disregard reports suggesting that the party had reached an agreement to support Tinubu’s re-election.

He stressed that only decisions formally reached through the party’s recognised constitutional organs and properly constituted meetings could be regarded as Accord’s official position.

Oladeji maintained that individuals making statements contrary to such decisions did not represent the established position of the party.

He reiterated Accord’s commitment to remaining an independent political platform and participating actively in the 2027 general elections at all levels.