Adeleke Should Not Destroy Accord Party Like PDP, Rejecting Gbenga Hashim May Cost His Re-election

The Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM) has reacted to what it described as false and misleading remarks made by the Osun State Chairman of the Accord Party, Pastor Victor Akande, during a radio programme, warning Governor Ademola Adeleke against actions capable of costing him his re-election.

In a statement issued by the South-West Coordinator of GHSM, Alhaji Abass Olaniyi, the movement said the comments credited to the Osun Accord Chairman regarding Governor Adeleke’s endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Accord’s presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, were based on fabricated documents, deliberate misrepresentation of facts and a distortion of political timelines.

Abass stated that while Governor Adeleke’s endorsement of President Tinubu was a carry-over from the PDP into Accord Party, the National leadership of Accord Party had already demonstrated its Presidential direction by actively lobbying Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim to join the party and contest the 2027 election.

According to GHSM, on 21 July 2025, the Osun PDP leadership caucus endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term, a decision widely reported while Governor Adeleke remained a PDP governor. The movement noted that it rejected the endorsement at the time because it was inconsistent with its political position.

The movement also recalled that in March 2026, the National leadership of Accord Party, led by its National Chairman, Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem, visited Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim and engaged him on joining the party to contest the presidential election.

The delegation, which included the party’s National Secretary, Hon. Adebukola Abiola Ajaja; National Treasurer, Salaudeen Abdulazeez Oyeniyi; and Organising Secretary, Hon. Ibe ThankGod, met with Dr. Olawepo-Hashim in Abuja as part of efforts to build a broad National political platform ahead of 2027.

GHSM stated that following the engagement, Dr. Olawepo-Hashim followed due process to participate in the party’s Presidential process and emerged as the Presidential Candidate of the party.

Abass said the engagement clearly contradicts claims that Accord Party had no Presidential direction, stressing that the party’s National leadership in April 2026 publicly disowned Governor Adeleke’s purported endorsement of President Tinubu and reaffirmed Accord’s National Presidential agenda.

“So, the facts are clear. Governor Adeleke endorsed President Tinubu before joining Accord Party. Also, Accord Party’s National leadership lobbied Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim to provide Presidential leadership for the party, and he emerged as the Presidential candidate of the party through open direct primaries.

“Therefore, the argument that Adeleke’s endorsement of Tinubu was caused by the absence of a Presidential candidate in Accord does not align with the timeline of events,” GHSM stated.

The South-West Coordinator warned that Governor Adeleke’s political approach within Accord Party raises concerns similar to the internal contradictions that weakened the PDP.

Alhaji Abass said political parties are strengthened when members respect institutions, structures and collective decisions rather than allowing individual interests to determine the direction of the party.

“Accord Party must not travel the same path that weakened PDP. A political party cannot survive when individual calculations are placed above the collective aspirations of its members,” he stated.

GHSM further stated that 24 State Chairmen of Accord Party across the federation have endorsed Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, while noting that the legal dispute surrounding the party’s Presidential Primary is currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The movement stressed that it would not make public comments on a matter already before the court.

“The issue of Accord Party’s presidential primary is reserved for judgment at the Federal High Court in Abuja. As responsible stakeholders, we will not engage in public commentary on a matter that is before the court. We have confidence in the judicial process and await the decision of the court,” GHSM stated.

GHSM cautioned that Governor Adeleke’s political future in Osun State depends on the unity and strength of the platform under which he seeks re-election.

The movement insisted that failure to recognise and work with key stakeholders supporting Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim could deepen divisions within Accord Party and affect its electoral prospects.

The movement reaffirmed its commitment to the presidential project of Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, describing it as a movement focused on political renewal, competence, institutional reform and National transformation.