The Federal High Court in Abuja has ruled in favor of Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as the presidential candidate of the Accord Party for the 2027 presidential election. This decision brings an end to a significant legal dispute over the party's presidential ticket. Justice Mohammed Umar delivered the judgment, dismissing preliminary objections against Hashim's suit and rejecting a letter that claimed to cancel the party's presidential primary.
Hashim had filed a lawsuit seeking recognition as the Accord Party's duly nominated presidential candidate. He argued that he was the sole aspirant and winner of the May 30, 2026, primary. His legal team, led by Henry Akunebu, SAN, challenged the validity of documents used to dispute Hashim's emergence, particularly a letter notifying INEC of the primary's cancellation. The letter was deemed invalid due to the lack of the party's official stamp.
The Accord Party, represented by T.W. Olusesi, maintained that the presidential primary had been cancelled and that no valid primary produced Hashim as the party's candidate. INEC's counsel, D.J. Gusen, also argued that the commission did not monitor the primary because it had received notification of its cancellation. However, Justice Umar dismissed these objections, paving the way for the court to recognize the outcome of the May 30 primary.
The court's judgment follows months of legal contest over the Accord Party's presidential ticket. Hashim had argued that the party's refusal to upload his name to INEC violated the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and relevant INEC regulations. He sought an order directing the party to upload his name to INEC's nomination portal as the winner of the primary.
Hashim maintained that he was a registered and financially compliant member of the Accord Party, having paid the ₦50 million presidential nomination fee and contributed ₦7 million towards the party's electronic membership registration programme. INEC officials monitored the primary, according to Hashim. The court's decision now requires the Accord Party to upload Hashim's name to INEC as its presidential candidate.
The ruling is a significant development in Nigeria's political landscape, particularly for the Accord Party. The party must now comply with the court's order and submit Hashim's name to INEC. This move could impact the party's chances in the 2027 presidential election. The court's decision also underscores the importance of adhering to legal processes and regulations in the nomination of candidates.
The affirmation of Hashim as the Accord Party's presidential candidate brings clarity to the party's ticket. The court's judgment is a victory for Hashim, who had sought legal redress to assert his claim as the party's candidate. The Accord Party must now focus on the upcoming election, with Hashim as its presidential candidate.
Key points
- The Federal High Court in Abuja has affirmed Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as the presidential candidate of the Accord Party for the 2027 presidential election.
- The court's decision was based on the dismissal of preliminary objections and the rejection of a purported letter cancelling the party's presidential primary.
- The Accord Party has been ordered to upload Hashim's name to INEC as its presidential candidate.
