The Journey Continues’ — Dr. Michael Olugbile Speaks on 2027 Accord Nomination and Future Political Plans

The Journey Continues’ — Dr. Michael Olugbile Speaks on 2027 Accord Nomination and Future Political Plans

STATEMENT BY DR. MICHAEL OLUGBILE (DMO) ON THE 2027 ACCORD NOMINATION PROCESS AND POLITICAL FUTURE

Yesterday, May 29, 2026, was the date scheduled by Accord (correctly referred to as *Accord - A* , and not Accord Party - AP) to conduct primary elections for the House of Representatives and the Senate across the country.

However, instead of competitive primaries, what transpired across Osun State was largely an affirmation process, as only one aspirant stood for election in each Federal Constituency and Senatorial District. A similar process had occurred days earlier during the House of Assembly primaries.

This happened across all Senatorial Districts, Federal Constituencies, and State Constituencies in Osun State not because of a lack of willing or qualified aspirants. Rather, it appeared to be the result of arrangements that limited access to Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to aspirants outside of a pre-determined list.

As many people are aware, Governor Ademola Adeleke left the PDP to join Accord late last year to contest for a second term as Governor of Osun State. Subsequently, six (6) out of the nine (9) members of the House of Representatives from Osun State, one Senator, and virtually all twenty-five (25) PDP members of the State House of Assembly followed suit and joined Accord.

As part of preparations for the 2027 elections, a meeting reportedly held at the Government House around Tuesday, May 19, 2026, was attended by aspirants who had defected from the PDP to Accord. It was reported that those present were informed of the leadership's preference that all serving State and National Assembly members who defected from the PDP should automatically return as Accord candidates for another term, irrespective of their current performance.

Curiously, longstanding members and aspirants who had previously contested elections under Accord were not invited to this meeting and only became aware of its outcome after the fact.

Some of us who may be described as "legacy Accord members": members who were in the party and contested elections under its banner before the recent influx of defectors from PDP had hoped for a broader and more inclusive nomination process.

However, concerns soon emerged regarding access to Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms for aspirants outside the pre-determined list. These concerns also extended to the practical implementation of certain requirements contained in the party's guidelines for the primary elections, including provisions relating to payment validation, issuance of receipts, issuance and processing of nomination forms, and timelines for screening.

Given the wave of controversial screenings and disqualifications taking place across the political landscape in different parts of the country championed by APC, many genuine aspirants sought clarification on these issues without success.

 Unfortunately, the cumulative effect of the processes adopted was that *only the pre-selected aspirants ultimately obtained nomination forms, participated in the screening exercise, and emerged through the affirmation process.*

On my part, as one of the two candidates who proudly flew the Accord flag in the House of Representatives election for *Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe Federal Constituency* during the 2023 general elections, I formally sought the intervention of the National Working Committee (NWC) on May 4, 2026 to advocate for a 

a negotiated modest arrangement that would concede at least one (1) out of the nine (9) House of Representatives seats and at least two (2) out of the twenty-six (26) State House of Assembly seats to long standing Accord members aspirants. The request was motivated by considerations of equity, inclusion, party loyalty, and the long-term institutional growth of our great party.

Regrettably, every single position was ultimately allocated to recent defectors from the PDP, leaving no elective position for those who had laboured for and represented Accord before their arrival.

Ultimately, it appears that Accord in Osun State has, in many respects, been treated as a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) through which defecting politicians could actualize their immediate political ambitions, while many of the party's longstanding members have found themselves excluded from the opportunities arising from the new political arrangement.

While it is widely believed that some of these new members may eventually return to the PDP once its internal challenges are resolved after the 2027 elections, it is deeply unfortunate that the current process *could not accommodate even a single elective position for original Accord members* who flag the banner of the party and contested elections under its banner before their arrival.

While I do not intend to apportion blame, it is my sincere hope that the executives and leadership of our great party will carefully review and address such disheartening occurrences in the future, so that all members, regardless of when they joined the party, can enjoy a transparent, fair, and inclusive process that strengthens internal democracy and promotes long-term party growth.

At this juncture, while I believe there are legitimate constitutional and procedural questions that could be raised regarding aspects of the candidate selection process, after careful reflection and extensive discussions with members of the National Working Committee, particularly our National Chairman, Barr. Maxwell Mgbudem and National Secretary, Hon (Dr) Abiola Ajaja PhD, I have decided not to pursue any legal challenge at this time.

From the productive engagements I had with members of the NWC and my lengthy and insightful discussions with our National Chairman — a man I deeply respect and whose model of community development and philanthropy I greatly admire, I came to appreciate that many of these state-level dynamics were largely beyond the direct control of the National Working Committee.

Therefore, out of respect for the National Chairman, Governor Ademola Adeleke, and the overall peace and unity of our party in Osun State, I have therefore decided at this time not to seek legal recourse regarding the 2027 primary process.

Having previously dragged INEC through a grueling legal battle during the 2023 elections, a case that ultimately went all the way to the Supreme Court in defense of my mandate as Accord's duly nominated candidate, I understand firsthand how destabilizing prolonged litigation can be during an election cycle.

My interactions with the National Chairman throughout this process have further deepened my respect for his leadership, commitment to party building, and remarkable dedication to community development and philanthropy.

Naturally, I would have wished for a different outcome.

Having devoted significant personal resources, time, and energy to contesting under the Accord platform in Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe Federal Constituency, and having previously endured a lengthy legal battle to defend the party's mandate during the 2023 elections, I had hoped that our party would reciprocate that commitment in the build-up to the 2027 elections. 

Nevertheless, I have taken notice of the outcome in good faith and remain grateful to Almighty God, whose plans are always greater than our own.

As Scripture reminds us:

 _"All things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose_ ."

 *This is certainly not a FULL STOP on the assignment to serve the good people of Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe Federal Constituency, it is merely a COMMA.* 

The journey continues!!

By the grace of God, we shall continue to deploy our personal resources through philanthropy, community development initiatives, educational support programmes, healthcare interventions, and other avenues of service to improve the lives of our people.

While such efforts may not match the scale of impact that public office would have made possible, my commitment to the welfare, progress, and development of our constituency remains unwavering.

I sincerely thank all my supporters, friends, political associates, community leaders, party members, and well-wishers who have stood by me throughout this journey. Your encouragement, prayers, and confidence continue to inspire me.

I also extend my best wishes to Hon. Adetunji Olusoji as he prepares for the 2027 general election. I wish him success and pray that his candidacy for a second term will this time bring the progress, representation, and development that our constituency deserves.

May God continue to bless Odo-Otin/Ifelodun/Boripe Federal Constituency, Osun State, and the Federal Republic of Nigeria!

ISEOLUWA N TESIWAJU!!!

 *Dr. Michael Olugbile (DMO)* 

MBBS (ILR), MPH (Harvard)

Otunba Atunluse of Ada-land