2027: Why I withdrew from presidential race to back Tinubu — Factional Accord chair

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By Luminous Jannamike

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ABUJA — The factional National Chairman of the Accord Party, Prof. Christopher Imumolen, has withdrawn from the 2027 presidential race and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid, saying he chose to step aside because Nigeria’s national progress should take precedence over his personal political ambition.

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Imumolen said he took the decision after consulting the leadership of his faction of the Accord Party, adding that he believes Nigeria’s need for unity, political stability and continuity of reforms outweighs his personal political ambition.

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In a statement he signed in Abuja, Imumolen, who had emerged as the presidential candidate of his faction of the Accord Party, described the decision as a patriotic sacrifice made in the country’s overall interest.

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“Whenever the national interest is better served through unity and strategic collaboration, I will always choose Nigeria above personal political ambition,” Imumolen said.

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He argued that President Tinubu’s economic reform agenda mirrors many of the priorities contained in his own manifesto, including economic transformation, education, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, industrialisation and national development.

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According to him, the President’s resilience in navigating Nigeria’s political and economic challenges, commitment to institutional reforms and progressive governance, as well as his ability to identify and empower capable individuals, reinforced his belief that continuity would better serve the country at this stage.

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“President Tinubu’s reform agenda and policies closely align with the core objectives of my manifesto, particularly in the areas of economic transformation, education, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, industrialisation and national development,” he stated.

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Imumolen also expressed confidence that Tinubu possesses the political experience and leadership capacity to provide continuity between Nigeria’s current democratic leadership and an emerging generation of transformational leaders, while sustaining policies capable of restoring economic stability.

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Imumolen said: “Despite current economic challenges, I remain convinced that his determination, policy direction, fiscal discipline and decisive leadership will reposition Nigeria’s economy for sustainable prosperity.”

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He further described the President’s willingness to engage Nigerians across political divides as evidence of inclusive leadership, arguing that policy consistency, stable governance and sustained reforms remain essential to attracting investment, creating jobs and strengthening national institutions.

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“At this critical stage of our nation’s development, continuity in governance, policy consistency, political stability and sustained reforms are essential for attracting investment, creating jobs, strengthening institutions and building a prosperous Nigeria for future generations,” the statement added.

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Imumolen formally declared his support for Tinubu’s re-election and urged members of the Accord Party, his supporters, youths, professionals and other Nigerians to rally behind the President in the 2027 election.

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“Our decision to withdraw our presidential candidature and support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a deliberate sacrifice made in the interest of Nigeria. History will always remember those who placed national progress above personal ambition,” he said.

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