A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Accord Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to immediately uphold Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as the Accord Party's Presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The court's decision was made by Justice Mohammed Garba Umar, who ruled that the Accord Party must submit Olawepo-Hashim's name to INEC in line with the provisions of section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026.
According to the court, the Accord Party's refusal to submit Olawepo-Hashim's name to INEC after he emerged victorious in the May 30 primary election as the sole aspirant was a violation of section 86 of the Electoral Act. Despite the Accord Party's denial of conducting any primary election, Justice Umar dismissed their claim due to evidence that Olawepo-Hashim paid N50 million for the expression of interest and nomination forms, which were accepted by the party.
Olawepo-Hashim's counsel, Henry Akunebu SAN, had argued that the party's documents, including a letter allegedly cancelling the party's presidential primary, were fabricated and lacked authenticity. Akunebu also challenged the party's claims, stating that they were contradictory and unbelievable in the face of the law. The senior lawyer urged the court to direct the Accord Party to upload Olawepo-Hashim's name to INEC's nomination portal as its presidential candidate.
In the originating summons, Olawepo-Hashim asked the court to determine whether the Accord Party's refusal to upload his name to INEC's nomination portal violated the Electoral Act 2026, the Constitution, and INEC's Guidelines for Political Parties. He sought a declaration that the party's failure to submit his name breached Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026 and Clauses 28(1) and 28(2) of the INEC guidelines on candidate nomination.
Olawepo-Hashim, a registered and financial member of the Accord Party, claimed that he funded the party's electronic membership registration with N7 million and paid N50 million as the nomination fee for the presidential primary. He maintained that he emerged as the sole aspirant and winner of a primary allegedly monitored by INEC officials but accused the party of failing to forward his name to the electoral commission.
The court's judgment is a significant development in the lead-up to the 2027 general election, with implications for the Accord Party and INEC. The ruling has ordered the party to submit Olawepo-Hashim's name to INEC, which must now accept and recognize him as the party's presidential candidate. The decision is expected to have far-reaching consequences for the electoral process in Nigeria.
The Accord Party and INEC have not publicly commented on the court's decision, but it is understood that they will comply with the ruling. The development is likely to shape the presidential election landscape, with Olawepo-Hashim now officially recognized as the Accord Party's candidate. The 2027 general election is expected to be a highly contested and closely watched event in Nigeria's democratic process.
Key points
- The court ruled that the Accord Party must submit Olawepo-Hashim's name to INEC as its presidential candidate.
- Olawepo-Hashim emerged victorious in the May 30 primary election as the sole aspirant.
- The Accord Party had denied conducting any primary election, but the court dismissed their claim due to evidence.
