Speaking in an interview with Vanguard, the Accord chieftain said the reported appointment did not, in itself, constitute sufficient grounds to accuse Adeleke of anti-party activities.
He explained that the key issue was whether the governor’s involvement violated any formal decision, political position or constitutional provision of Accord.
“The issue here is not just about Governor Ademola Adeleke having any form of relationship with the APC Presidential Campaign Council, but whether such relationship contravenes the constitution of the party, the political stance of Accord, or any other decision taken by the party,” Oke said.
According to him, the party’s national leadership learnt of the reported appointment through media reports and had yet to announce an official position on the matter.
Oke cited Articles 13, 14 and 20 of Accord’s constitution, saying the provisions address members’ obligations to comply with party decisions and establish grounds for disciplinary action over misconduct and anti-party activities.
He stressed that the nature of Adeleke’s involvement with the campaign council would be central to determining whether any breach had occurred.
“If the role of Governor Adeleke was that of cooperating with the President on national development, then by itself, such will not constitute anti-party actions,” he said.
However, Oke warned that actively campaigning for Tinubu or formally endorsing the APC presidential candidate could raise disciplinary concerns if Accord subsequently adopts a different candidate or issues directives inconsistent with Adeleke’s reported role.
He noted that Accord had yet to select its presidential candidate for the 2027 election, arguing that the party needed to clarify its political position before reaching a definitive conclusion on the governor’s conduct.
Beyond the constitutional questions, Oke said the development could affect Accord’s internal cohesion, political identity and preparations for the forthcoming elections.
He warned that uncertainty over Adeleke’s political alignment could create divisions among party members, particularly between those supporting the governor and those demanding disciplinary action.
On the relationship between Adeleke and Tinubu, Oke suggested that personal ties might have influenced the governor’s reported acceptance of the campaign appointment.
“At the inauguration of the committee in Abuja, we heard Governor Adeleke refer to President Tinubu as his father. So, I can conclude that Governor Adeleke must have accepted the appointment on a personal relationship basis,” he said.
Nevertheless, the Ogun Accord chairman maintained that personal relationships between political leaders should not determine the party’s position without a formal assessment by its authorised organs.
“There is a difference between the opinion of individual party leaders and a decision taken by authorised bodies of the party,” he added.
Oke said the national leadership must safeguard Accord’s institutional integrity while ensuring that Adeleke receives a fair hearing before any disciplinary decision is taken.
The reported appointment has attracted political attention because Adeleke was re-elected governor of Osun State under Accord in August 2026, while Tinubu is seeking another term under the APC banner in the 2027 presidential election.
Oke maintained that the outcome of the party’s deliberations could have consequences beyond the governor’s individual position, potentially influencing Accord’s unity, electoral strategy and relationships with other political parties ahead of the general elections.
