Presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has mobilised the party’s structures across Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, urging party leaders, candidates and supporters across all divides to close ranks and work collectively to deliver Accord at the polls.
The mobilisation took place amid the ongoing political controversy surrounding the Accord Party in Osun State and competing claims over the party’s political direction.
Addressing party stakeholders drawn from the 31 local government areas of the state at a meeting in Osogbo on Thursday, Hashim, who was represented by the National Coordinator of the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM) and South-West Coordinator, Alhaji Abass Olaniyi, described Accord as “one family”, urging members to put internal disagreements behind them and concentrate on strengthening the party’s organisation ahead of the election.
“Accord is one family. We may have disagreements, but our shared commitment to the party and to democratic renewal must remain stronger than our differences.”
Hashim called on Accord leaders across the state to activate their respective structures and ensure that the party maintains a strong presence across wards and polling units.
He said the immediate priority was to preserve the integrity of the Accord structure, maintain unity among members and ensure that supporters participate peacefully and confidently in the electoral process.
The Accord presidential candidate urged party members in Osun not to lose faith in the party, insisting that Accord’s future must be determined by the commitment of its members and the strength of its democratic structures.
Hashim also urged the Osun structures to remain disciplined, peaceful and focused on the election, warning that political disagreements should not be allowed to weaken the party’s organisational foundation.
“This is the time to unite. This is the time to mobilise. This is the time to demonstrate that Accord is bigger than any individual. We are one family, and we must act as one family,” he said.
He further urged Accord supporters to resist provocation and intimidation, insisting that the party’s response to political pressure must be peaceful mobilisation and democratic participation.
“Nobody should be intimidated. Nobody should be provoked into violence. Our strength is our organisation, our people and our commitment to democracy,” Hashim said.
He called on party leaders, candidates and supporters across Osun to turn out peacefully on August 15 and participate fully in the electoral process.
“Let us close ranks, mobilise our people and protect the Accord family. Whatever our differences may have been, today we have one responsibility, which is to deliver Accord at the poll on August 15,” he added.
The meeting also provided a visible show of support for the Hashim project, as the hall was filled with participants wearing face caps bearing the inscription “Gbenga Hashim for Imole.”
Among those present were Hon. Wumi Ajibade Fadaka from Ife East, Hon. Adewuyi Adediji from Egbedore Local Government, Hon. Mrs. Adelakun Khadijah from Ede South Local Government and Elder Ponle, among other party stakeholders and supporters.
The mobilisation underscores Hashim’s call for Accord members to set aside internal differences, strengthen the party’s grassroots structures and approach the election as a united political family.
With the election only days away, the meeting ended with a renewed emphasis on unity, grassroots mobilisation, peaceful participation and the protection of Accord’s presence across Osun’s wards and polling units.
