The Accord Party (AP) has dismissed claims of a leadership crisis within its ranks, insisting that its 2023 presidential candidate, Christopher Imumolen, is no longer a member and has no right to claim its national chairmanship.
Imumolen had on Tuesday led a protest at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), demanding recognition as the party’s national chairman.
During the protest, he accused INEC of failing to enforce judicial decisions and urged the commission to recognise his leadership.
Reacting at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, the party’s National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, dismissed the protest.
He described it as “showmanship by a political neophyte” aimed at misleading the public.
Mgbudem disclosed that Imumolen and 10 others were expelled from the party in November 2024 for anti-party activities.
He said the decision was taken by the disciplinary committee and ratified by the party’s National Executive Committee.
The party also rejected Imumolen’s claim that a court order recognised him as chairman.
According to Mgbudem, the only order obtained was an ex parte ruling that expired within seven days.
He said, “There is no leadership dispute or faction in Accord, and there is no court order in favour of Imumolen or anybody for INEC to comply with.
“If there is a court order, Imumolen would have carried and displayed it like a trophy instead of carrying an awkward placard.”
Mgbudem further revealed that a suit filed by Imumolen was struck out by a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in July 2025 for lack of jurisdiction.
Quoting the judgment, he said the court ruled that the matter was “a non-justiciable intra-party leadership dispute.”
The party accused the former presidential candidate of attempting to create a crisis where none exists. Mgbudem urged members and aspirants to disregard him, alleging that he was engaging in “forum shopping” in the courts.
He maintained that his leadership remains valid, noting that he emerged through a national convention held in July 2024 and monitored by INEC.
Mgbudem added that the party is focused on upcoming elections, including the Ekiti and Osun governorship polls and the 2027 general elections.