In a significant legal victory, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has secured a court order compelling the Accord Party to recognise him as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election. The Federal High Court in Abuja delivered the judgment on October 5, 2026, after Olawepo-Hashim filed a suit against the Accord Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The court ruled that the party's failure to forward Olawepo-Hashim's name to INEC was a violation of the Electoral Act 2026.
According to the court, Olawepo-Hashim participated in the Accord Party's presidential primary on May 30, 2026, and emerged as the sole aspirant and winner. The party, however, claimed that no presidential primary was conducted, citing that no aspirant had obtained and submitted the required nomination forms within the stipulated period. Justice Mohammed Umar, who delivered the judgment, disagreed with the party's position after examining the evidence presented.
The court found that Olawepo-Hashim paid N50 million for the expression of interest and nomination forms, which was accepted by the party. Justice Umar also noted inconsistencies in the party's claims regarding the disputed primary. The judge held that the contradictions in the party's processes were not sustainable under the law. As a result, the court directed the party to upload and submit Olawepo-Hashim's name to INEC.
The legal battle began when Accord refused to forward Olawepo-Hashim's name to INEC after he claimed to have secured the party's ticket. Olawepo-Hashim approached the Federal High Court, seeking declarations that the party's refusal was unlawful. In the suit, he asked the court to compel the party to recognise him as its presidential candidate and submit his details to INEC. The court ultimately ruled in his favour.
During the proceedings, Olawepo-Hashim's counsel, Henry Akunebu, SAN, challenged documents relied upon by Accord and INEC. Akunebu questioned the authenticity of a letter said to have cancelled the party's presidential primary, arguing that it did not carry the official stamp of the party. He also challenged the membership register tendered by the defendants.
Accord and INEC had opposed the suit, arguing that no valid primary was conducted. The party maintained that Olawepo-Hashim's payments for the nomination process came after the deadline and that the money was subsequently ordered to be returned. However, the court ultimately ruled in Olawepo-Hashim's favour, finding that the party had a duty to submit his name to INEC.
The judgment brings to a head the dispute that has surrounded the Accord Party's 2027 presidential ticket since May. Olawepo-Hashim described himself as a registered and financial member of Accord, stating that he contributed N7 million towards the party's electronic membership registration exercise. With the court's ruling, Olawepo-Hashim's candidacy has been recognised, and his name will be submitted to INEC.
Key points
- The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Accord Party to recognise Olawepo-Hashim as its presidential candidate and submit his name to INEC.
