Christopher Imumolen, the factional national chairman of Accord Party, says President Bola Tinubu is well positioned to win the 2027 presidential election due to his reforms, leadership and growing nationwide support.

Mr Imumolen stated this at a news conference in Lagos on Friday, where he formally announced his withdrawal from the 2027 presidential race and endorsed Tinubu for a second term.

He announced his withdrawal from the presidential race on Wednesday, stating the decision followed extensive consultations with the party’s leadership and members.

Mr Imumolen said national interest should always take precedence over personal ambition and partisan considerations.

According to him, Mr Tinubu’s re-election is inevitable because Nigerians are beginning to appreciate the long-term benefits of the administration’s reform agenda despite prevailing economic challenges.

“Tinubu will win because of his people-oriented programmes and the massive support he has received from different parts of the country.

“There is focus. Let us forget about the challenges of inflation and security. There must be progress

“If another person comes in 2027, he will have to start all over again.

“There must be continuity. He has identified the challenges and we need to move from where we are to the next phase. That is why we are supporting him and he will win.My support is total” Mr Imumolen said.

He said the president’s reform agenda closely aligned with his own manifesto, especially in economic transformation, education, youth empowerment, entrepreneurship, industrialisation and national development.

Mr Imumolen said the party endorsed him for ten reasons  and after reviewing the administration’s performance and Nigeria’s future development needs

He said the first three reasons were Mr Tinubu’s courage in implementing difficult economic reforms, demonstrated leadership capacity and commitment to progressive governance through continuity of development projects.

According to him, the fourth, fifth and sixth reasons were deliberate youth empowerment, bridging generational leadership and appointing competent individuals into strategic public offices.

He said the seventh, eighth and ninth reasons were placing national interest above personal ambition, ensuring policy continuity, political stability and sustained reforms, and demonstrating transparency through the party’s early endorsement.

Mr Imumolen said the tenth reason was the party’s conviction that collaboration in the national interest would strengthen democracy and accelerate national development.

“Over the last four years, I was one of those who criticised the President. However, I have also witnessed his leadership style and the progress his administration has made,” he said.

He said no opposition presidential candidate, including those of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and National Democratic Congress (NDC), possessed a stronger prospect than Mr Tinubu.

Mr Imumolen commended the administration for appointing young Nigerians into strategic positions, saying the President had demonstrated confidence in the country’s younger generation.

According to him, the appointments have created opportunities for young people to contribute meaningfully to governance and national development.

“I believe President Bola Tinubu is uniquely positioned to provide a seamless transition between Nigeria’s founding democratic leadership and the emerging generation of transformational leaders,” he said.

Mr Imumolen reiterated that his political aspiration had always been driven by service to Nigeria rather than the pursuit of public office.

“My aspiration has always been to serve Nigeria and not merely to occupy political office.

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

He said continuity in governance remained essential for attracting investment, creating jobs, strengthening institutions and sustaining ongoing reforms across the country.

“These are some of the reasons our party has collectively resolved to stand behind President Tinubu in the forthcoming election.

“There is no hidden agenda. Our only objective is to support what we believe is good for Nigeria and secure a better future for ourselves and our children,” he said.

Mr Imumolen said the party announced its endorsement ahead of the election to demonstrate openness and provide clarity to its members and supporters.

He dismissed claims that the endorsement resulted from weak political structures, insisting the decision was based entirely on performance and national interest.

“Our party evaluates leaders based on their performance. We have assessed Mr President’s record and believe supporting him is in the national interest,” he said.

Mr Imumolen explained that the party deliberately declined to field a presidential candidate because it believed continuity would consolidate the reforms initiated by the Tinubu administration.

He assured supporters that the presidential endorsement would not affect Accord Party’s participation in governorship, legislative and other elections across the country.

(NAN)