Gbenga Hashim Group Warns Adeleke Against Deepening Divisions in Accord Party

The Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement, GHSM, has cautioned Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, against actions that could deepen divisions within the Accord Party, warning that internal wrangling would hurt the party’s chances ahead of the 2027 general election.

The warning followed comments reportedly made by the Osun State Chairman of the Accord Party, Victor Akande, during a radio programme on the party’s internal affairs, including Governor Adeleke’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Monday by its South-West Coordinator, Abass Olaniyi, GHSM described Akande’s remarks as false and misleading, saying they misrepresented the sequence of events surrounding the party’s presidential ticket.

GHSM maintained that Governor Adeleke endorsed President Tinubu while he was still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and before defecting to the Accord Party.

The group also said the Accord Party’s national leadership had already begun moves to field Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as its presidential candidate before Adeleke joined the party.

According to the statement, the party’s national executives met with Olawepo-Hashim in Abuja in March 2026 to discuss the 2027 presidential race. He later emerged as the party’s presidential candidate through its primary process.

GHSM argued that this timeline contradicts claims that the party had no presidential direction when Adeleke endorsed Tinubu.

“The facts are clear. Governor Adeleke endorsed President Tinubu before joining the Accord Party, while the party’s national leadership subsequently produced Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as its presidential candidate through its internal process.

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

The group warned the Accord Party against internal divisions similar to those that weakened the PDP.

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

GHSM said the dispute over the party’s presidential primary is currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja and declined further comments, citing the pending litigation.

It, however, said resolving the party’s internal disagreements would be critical to its electoral prospects, and warned that continued divisions could affect Governor Adeleke’s re-election bid if not properly managed.