Governor Ademola Adeleke risks Accord sanctions over Tinubu campaign role

Vanguaid

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State risks facing disciplinary action from his party, the Accord, over his reported role as coordinator of President Bola Tinubu's 2027 presidential campaign in the…

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State risks facing disciplinary action from his party, the Accord, over his reported role as coordinator of President Bola Tinubu's 2027 presidential campaign in the state. However, Michael Rotimi Oke, the Accord's Ogun State chairman, warned against hasty conclusions, saying the appointment alone doesn't prove anti-party conduct.

Oke told reporters that Accord's national leadership hadn't yet investigated the matter or heard directly from Adeleke. He stressed that any decision must rest on verified facts and input from the party's authorised bodies.

"The issue here is not just about Governor Ademola Adeleke having any form of relationship with the APC Presidential Campaign Council, but whether such relationship contravenes the constitution of the party, the political stance of Accord, or any other decision taken by the party," Oke said in an interview with Vanguard.

The party learnt of Adeleke's reported appointment through media reports and hasn't yet released an official statement. Oke noted that Articles 13, 14 and 20 of Accord's constitution detail members' duties to follow party directives and outline penalties for anti-party behaviour.

Accord must assess whether Adeleke's role involves cooperating with Tinubu on national matters or actively campaigning for the APC presidential candidate against the party's interests. According to Oke, cooperating with the President on development wouldn't necessarily breach party rules.

"If the role of Governor Adeleke was that of cooperating with the President on national development, then by itself, such will not constitute anti-party actions," he said. But endorsing Tinubu or campaigning for the APC candidate, especially if Accord picks a different presidential hopeful, could trigger disciplinary proceedings.

Oke pointed out that Accord hasn't yet named a presidential candidate for 2027, making it urgent for the party to set its position before ruling on whether Adeleke violated any party rule or directive. The uncertainty surrounding Adeleke's political alignment poses risks to the party's internal unity and image.

Members could split between those backing the governor and those pushing for sanctions against him. This division could hurt Accord's chances in the 2027 election cycle.

Oke suggested that personal ties likely drove Adeleke's acceptance of the appointment. At a committee inauguration in Abuja, Adeleke publicly referred to Tinubu as his father, signalling a deep personal bond.

"At the inauguration of the committee in Abuja, we heard Governor Adeleke refer to President Tinubu as his father. So, I can conclude that Governor Adeleke must have accepted the appointment on a personal relationship basis," Oke added.

Still, he cautioned that Adeleke's private relationship with the President shouldn't alone shape the party's judgment on this matter.