The National Working Committee (NWC) of the Accord Party has dismissed claims that its National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, was suspended by a faction of party members. The party described the alleged suspension as “laughable” and the handiwork of “political jobbers seeking relevance,” insisting that Mgbudem remains the authentic and duly recognised national chairman.
A statement issued by Joseph Omorogbe, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, clarified that the announcement of Mgbudem’s suspension was made during a stakeholders’ meeting in Keffi, Nasarawa State, led by former presidential candidate Chris Imumolen. The party emphasised that Imumolen had long been expelled and had no authority to take such decisions.
Omorogbe further dismissed the vote of no confidence against Mgbudem as “a joke taken too far,” accusing Imumolen of seeking “cheap publicity to mislead unsuspecting members of the public.” According to the statement, all party members remain unified under Mgbudem’s leadership, and efforts by expelled members and their sponsors to destabilise the party ahead of the 2027 general elections would not succeed.
The recent claims by the faction came barely 24 hours after state chairmen from across the 36 states of Nigeria reportedly met in Keffi. At that meeting, the faction announced Mgbudem’s suspension over alleged anti-party activities and named Imumolen as the new national chairman.
The mainstream leadership of Accord immediately dismissed the claims, stating that the allegations were fabricated. According to Omorogbe, the faction cited a Federal High Court judgment and accused Mgbudem and other leaders of colluding with external political actors during the Anambra governorship election. The party insists these claims are baseless.
The NWC also referenced recent court rulings, including a judgment by Justice Fatima A. Aliyu on July 17, 2025, which struck out a suit filed by Imumolen and others. The party said the ruling reaffirmed Mgbudem’s position as the legitimate national chairman, and underlined that the structures of the party remain intact.
The Accord Party’s statement reiterated that Mgbudem is officially recognised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and is listed on the Commission’s website as the party’s legitimate leader. The party assured Nigerians that all members are “in one accord” and will not be distracted by the antics of expelled members and their political sponsors.
Omorogbe said that under Mgbudem’s leadership, Accord has been reorganised and repositioned as a formidable progressive mass movement, aimed at contributing to a better, greater, and more prosperous democratic nation. He emphasised that the faction in Keffi is not an organ of the party and has no place in Accord’s constitution.
“Accord, under Maxwell Mgbudem, has been restructured to strengthen its grassroots network, expand membership, and build a party capable of competing in national elections,” Omorogbe said. “We urge Nigerians to ignore the political ranting of Imumolen, as his jamboree in Keffi is not recognised by the party.”
Despite the factional claims, the mainstream leadership insists there is no leadership crisis in Accord. Omorogbe emphasised that the party’s organisational structures, decision-making bodies, and membership remain unified, and that the recent dispute is merely a distraction created by expelled members and external actors.
“Internal wrangling is expected in political parties, but it does not affect the party’s readiness for the 2027 elections. Accord remains focused on building a progressive political movement that addresses the aspirations of Nigerians,” Omorogbe said.
The party accused Imumolen and his supporters of attempting to use the media and public platforms to create confusion and give the impression of a leadership struggle. According to the NWC, such moves are part of a broader strategy to undermine the party’s credibility and influence ahead of key political contests.
Accord’s mainstream leadership insisted that expelled members and their sponsors are acting outside the party’s constitution and democratic processes. The NWC also warned that any attempt to create parallel structures or claim leadership without proper recognition would be considered null and void.
The Accord Party has stated its intention to continue consolidating its organizational framework, strengthening its grassroots presence, and preparing for the 2027 general elections. The party is also calling on Nigerians to focus on its progressive agenda rather than internal distractions created by former members.
The party highlighted that the leadership remains stable and committed to delivering on its mandate as a progressive political force.
