Osun Guber: Why I Decided To Support Adeleke – Olawepo-Hashim

The presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has called on Accord Party stakeholders and supporters in Osun State to close ranks, remain loyal to the party, and mobilise massively for victory ahead of the August 15 governorship election in the state.

Olawepo-Hashim specifically noted that the actions of a few individuals must not derail the party’s mission, a statement from his media office disclosed on Sunday.

He made the call after receiving the report of a seven-member committee of Accord Party stakeholders in Osun State, which consulted widely and briefed him on recent political developments and the state of the party.

Olawepo-Hashim is in court seeking an order compelling the Accord Party to recognise him as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election and transmit his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Governor Ademola Adeleke, the lone governor elected on the party’s platform, has since endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 election, refusing to recognise Olawepo-Hashim as the party’s presidential candidate.

However, according to a statement from his media office issued yesterday, Olawepo-Hashim urged members to reject anti-party activities and stressed that the future of the Accord Party in Osun would be determined by the commitment and loyalty of its members, not by the actions of any individual.

Describing Governor Adeleke’s recent actions as a betrayal of the Accord Party, Olawepo-Hashim said he would not respond by undermining the party’s electoral prospects in the state.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke has obviously acted as a disloyal party man, but I will not respond by engaging in anti-party activities in Osun. Two wrongs do not make a right,” he insisted.

Olawepo-Hashim noted that his actions are guided by principle, faith, and democratic values rather than bitterness or revenge.

“I am a Christian. The Bible teaches that vengeance belongs to the Lord. I have no reason to pursue political revenge,” he said.

He urged Accord Party members and supporters across the state not to lose faith in the party “because of the actions of a few individuals,” emphasising that the party’s ideals, values, and future are far greater than any single personality.

The presidential hopeful also suggested that the Adeleke family’s recent political decisions may have been influenced by circumstances not fully known to the public.

“The Adeleke family is under pressure that many people do not understand. I understand some of those realities, and that is why I have chosen to exercise restraint in my political response. Sometimes politicians take decisions that appear illogical.

“Supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu despite the political pressure the APC has mounted against them is one such example. I am not angry with them; I pity them.”

Reaffirming his commitment to strengthening the Accord Party in Osun and across Nigeria, Olawepo-Hashim called on party faithful to intensify grassroots mobilisation and remain focused on securing victory at the polls.

He expressed profound appreciation to Accord Party members, elders, and stakeholders in Osun State who have remained steadfast in advancing the party’s ideals and supporting its presidential project despite prevailing political pressures.

“I sincerely appreciate every Accord Party member, elder, and stakeholder in Osun State who has stood firmly with our party and our presidential agenda.

“Your loyalty, sacrifice, and courage will never be forgotten or taken for granted.”

He also assured members that their sacrifices would not be in vain, stressing that the future of the Accord Party rests in the hands of committed and principled members.

“The Accord Party belongs to its members. Its future will be determined by the loyalty, commitment, and hard work of those who believe in its ideals. I urge every supporter in Osun to remain focused, united, and mobilised for victory.”

Olawepo-Hashim called on President Tinubu to provide a level playing field in the upcoming election because, according to him, “The Osun State election is the major off-season election before 2027.

“What happens will tell everyone what INEC and Nigeria’s security forces plan to do in 2027. The world is watching,” he said.