Court affirms Gbenga Hashim as Accord Party presidential candidate
The Federal High Court in Abuja has confirmed Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as the presidential candidate of the Accord Party for the upcoming 2027 election. The court’s ruling on Monday concluded a significant legal dispute regarding the party’s presidential ticket.
Justice Mohammed Umar dismissed preliminary objections against Hashim’s case and rejected a letter that was purportedly used to communicate the cancellation of the party’s presidential primary to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The court also ordered the Accord Party to submit Hashim’s name to INEC, recognizing his victory in the primary held on May 30, 2026.
Hashim had sought the court’s recognition as the officially nominated candidate, arguing that he was the sole aspirant and winner of the primary. His case was presented by Henry Akunebu, SAN, who urged the court to compel the party to acknowledge Hashim’s candidacy and forward his name to INEC.
Akunebu contested the validity of the documents presented to challenge Hashim’s nomination, particularly a letter that allegedly notified INEC of the primary’s cancellation. He emphasized that the letter lacked the party’s official stamp and questioned the circumstances surrounding its submission to INEC.
The Accord Party, represented by T.W. Olusesi, maintained that the primary had indeed been canceled and asserted that no valid primary recognized Hashim as the party’s candidate. D.J. Gusen, representing INEC, echoed this sentiment, stating that the commission did not monitor the primary due to notifications of its cancellation.
Despite the objections, Justice Umar ruled in favor of recognizing the outcome of the May 30 primary. This judgment follows months of legal contention regarding the party’s presidential ticket and its failure to submit Hashim’s name to INEC despite his claims of victory.
Hashim argued that the party’s refusal to upload his name constituted a violation of the Constitution, the Electoral Act of 2026, and related INEC regulations governing candidate nominations. In his originating summons, he asked the court to determine if the Accord Party could justifiably refuse to include his name in INEC’s nomination portal after he emerged victorious in the primary. He also requested that the party conduct a new primary in which he could participate.
Hashim maintained throughout the proceedings that he is a registered and compliant member of the Accord Party and had paid the required ₦50 million presidential nomination fee, along with contributing ₦7 million to support the party’s electronic membership registration program. He asserted that INEC officials monitored the May 30 primary where he was the only aspirant.
In response to the ruling, Hashim expressed gratitude for the victory, dedicating it to God and calling for unity among party members and stakeholders. “We should all come together and work for the party’s victory in the January 16, 2027 presidential election and all other elections. The march to a New Nigeria has started,” he stated.
