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 dismissed preliminary objections and rejected a letter that claimed to cancel the party's presidential primary. The court ordered the Accord Party to upload Hashim's name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its presidential candidate.
Hashim approached the court to seek recognition as the duly nominated presidential candidate of the Accord Party. He argued that he was the sole aspirant and winner of the May 30, 2026 primary. His case was represented by Henry Akunebu, SAN, who challenged the validity of documents used to dispute Hashim's emergence. Akunebu questioned the circumstances surrounding the receipt of a purported cancellation letter by INEC, citing 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. Counsel for INEC, D.J. Gusen, argued that the commission did not monitor the purported primary because it had received notification that the exercise had been cancelled. However, Justice Umar's judgment recognized the outcome of the May 30 primary.
The judgment follows months of legal contest over the Accord Party presidential ticket. Hashim had argued that the party's refusal to upload his name to INEC violated the Constitution, Electoral Act 2026, and relevant INEC regulations. In his originating summons, he asked the court to determine whether Accord Party could validly refuse to upload his name to INEC's nomination portal.
Hashim maintained that he was a registered and financially compliant member of Accord Party. He claimed to have paid the prescribed ₦50 million presidential nomination fee and contributed ₦7 million towards the party's electronic membership registration programme. INEC officials monitored the May 30 primary, at which he emerged as the sole aspirant.
In reaction to the ruling, Hashim dedicated the victory to God and called for reconciliation among stakeholders and party members. He expressed gratitude to the Judiciary for doing justice in the matter. Hashim emphasized the need for unity, stating that the march to a New Nigeria had started.
The court's order provides a judicial resolution to the immediate dispute over the party's presidential nomination. This development places Hashim's candidacy on the official electoral process. The Accord Party is now required to upload Hashim's name to INEC, effectively recognizing his emergence from the party's presidential primary.
Key points
- The Federal High Court in Abuja affirms Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as the presidential candidate of the Accord Party for the 2027 presidential election.
- The court's decision brings an end to a significant legal dispute over the party's presidential ticket.
- Hashim calls for reconciliation among stakeholders and party members following the ruling.
