…I will not retaliate Anti-Party with Anti-Party
The Presidential Candidate of the Accord Party, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has appealed to party leaders, stakeholders and supporters in Osun State to remain united, loyal and focused on securing victory in the forthcoming governorship election.
Hashim made the appeal after receiving the report of a seven-member committee established by Accord Party stakeholders in Osun State. The committee was tasked with consulting widely and briefing him on recent political developments and the state of the party.
Addressing the outcome of the consultations, the Accord presidential candidate said the actions of a few individuals should not be allowed to derail the party’s vision or weaken its resolve ahead of the election.
He urged party faithful to reject anti-party activities, stressing that the future of the Accord Party in Osun would be determined by the commitment and loyalty of its members rather than the decisions of any individual.
Commenting on the recent political developments involving Governor Ademola Adeleke, Hashim described the governor’s actions as a betrayal of the Accord Party. Despite this, he maintained that he would not retaliate in a manner capable of hurting the party’s electoral chances.
“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 said.
Hashim explained that his approach to politics is guided by democratic values, personal conviction and his Christian faith, rather than bitterness or the desire for revenge.
“I am a Christian. The Bible teaches that vengeance belongs to the Lord. I have no reason to pursue political revenge,” he added.
He called on Accord members across Osun State not to lose confidence in the party because of what he described as the actions of a few individuals, insisting that the party’s ideals and long-term vision are greater than any single personality.
Hashim also suggested that recent political decisions taken by the Adeleke family may have been influenced by pressures that are 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 building a stronger Accord Party in Osun State and across the country, Hashim urged members to intensify grassroots mobilisation and remain focused on achieving victory at the polls.
He also expressed appreciation to party elders, stakeholders and supporters who have remained steadfast in advancing the Accord Party’s ideals and supporting its presidential project despite the prevailing political challenges.
“I sincerely appreciate every Accord 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 said.
Hashim assured members that their sacrifices would not be in vain, adding that the future of the Accord Party rests on the dedication of principled members who remain committed to its vision.
He further called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to ensure that the forthcoming Osun governorship election is conducted on a level playing field, describing the poll as a significant test of Nigeria’s democratic institutions ahead of the 2027 general election.
“The Osun State election is the major off-season election before 2027. What happens will tell everyone what INEC and Nigeria’s security agencies plan to do in 2027. The world is watching,” Hashim stated.
The latest remarks come amid the ongoing disagreement between supporters of Dr. Hashim and Governor Adeleke over the governor’s repeated endorsement of President Tinubu, the presidential candidate of a rival political party.
