Professor Christopher Imumolen, the national chairman and factional presidential candidate of the Accord Party, has formally withdrawn from the 2027 presidential race and endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term. The announcement was made at a news conference in Lagos on Friday, August 7, following what Imumolen described as broad consultations with the party's leadership and members.
Imumolen stated that national interest must always take precedence over personal ambition, adding that President Tinubu's performance and people-oriented programmes make him the clear favourite to win in 2027 against opposition candidates like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.
Ten Reasons Behind the Endorsement
Imumolen outlined ten reasons for the party's decision, which came after a thorough review of the administration's performance and Nigeria's development needs. The first three reasons centered on Tinubu's willingness to implement tough economic reforms, his demonstrated leadership capacity, and his commitment to continuing ongoing development projects.
The fourth, fifth, and sixth reasons were deliberate youth empowerment, bridging generational leadership gaps, and appointing capable individuals to key public offices. The seventh, eighth, and ninth covered placing national interest above personal goals, ensuring policy continuity and political stability, and showing transparency through an early public endorsement.
The tenth reason, Imumolen said, was the party's belief that working together in the national interest would strengthen Nigerian democracy and accelerate development across the country. He also noted that Tinubu's reform agenda closely matched his own manifesto on economic transformation, education, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, industrialisation, and national development.
No Rival Can Match Tinubu, Says Imumolen
Imumolen dismissed any suggestion that the endorsement was a sign of weak political structures within the party, insisting the decision was based entirely on the President's performance record and the broader national interest. He argued that continuity in governance is critical for attracting investment, creating jobs, strengthening institutions, and sustaining the reforms already in motion.
"Tinubu will win because of his people-oriented programmes and the massive support he has received from different parts of the country," Imumolen said. "There is focus. Let us forget about the challenges of inflation and security. There must be progress. If another person comes in 2027, he will have to start all over again. There must be continuity. He has identified the challenges, and we need to move from where we are to the next phase. That is why we are supporting him, and he will win. My support is total."
Support from Governor Adeleke and Party Leadership
Governor Ademola Adeleke and the national leadership of the Accord Party have also thrown their weight behind President Tinubu, endorsing him as their preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election. According to a Facebook post by lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi, a key ally of Governor Adeleke, the endorsement followed a meeting held late Saturday, July 25, in Osogbo, the Osun state capital, where the governor sat down with top officials of the party to discuss key issues affecting the organisation.
Imumolen also commended the administration for bringing young Nigerians into strategic government roles, saying those appointments had opened doors for the younger generation to contribute to governance in meaningful ways. He reiterated that no opposition presidential candidate, including those fielded by the African Democratic Congress (AD), Atiku Abubakar, and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, had a stronger chance than Tinubu heading into 2027.
