Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has secured a major legal victory ahead of the 2027 presidential election after the Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed him as Accord’s presidential candidate and ordered the party to submit his name to INEC. Justice Mohammed Umar delivered the judgment on Monday, holding that Accord breached Section 86 of the Electoral Act […]

Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has secured a major legal victory ahead of the 2027 presidential election after the Federal High Court in Abuja affirmed him as Accord’s presidential candidate and ordered the party to submit his name to INEC.

Justice Mohammed Umar delivered the judgment on Monday, holding that Accord breached Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026 by failing to submit Olawepo-Hashim’s name after his emergence from the party’s May 30 presidential primary.

The court also ordered INEC to accept and recognise Olawepo-Hashim as Accord’s candidate once the party submits his name.Justice Umar rejected Accord’s position that it did not conduct the disputed primary, saying the evidence presented before the court did not support the party’s claim.

The judge referred to the N50m payment made by Olawepo-Hashim for the expression of interest and nomination forms, among other evidence considered during the case.

He also described some of Accord’s claims regarding the disputed primary as contradictory and unbelievable in light of the law.

Olawepo-Hashim had approached the court after Accord failed to upload his name to INEC’s nomination portal despite his claim that he was the sole aspirant and winner of the May 30 primary.

His lawyer, Henry Akunebu, SAN, asked the court to compel the party to submit the candidate’s name and direct INEC to recognise and accept his nomination.

Akunebu also challenged documents relied upon by Accord and INEC, particularly a letter said to have communicated the cancellation of the presidential primary.

The lawyer questioned the authenticity of the letter, arguing that it lacked the party’s official stamp and was addressed to the INEC chairman but received by an unnamed national commissioner.

He urged the court to reject the documents, alleging that they were fabricated during the proceedings.

Accord’s counsel, T.W. Olusesi, however, maintained that the presidential primary had been cancelled and that no valid primary produced Olawepo-Hashim as the party’s candidate.

INEC’s counsel, D.J. Gusen, similarly told the court that the commission did not monitor the purported primary because it had been notified that the exercise was cancelled.

Justice Umar nevertheless rejected the objections raised against Olawepo-Hashim’s case and the purported cancellation of the primary.

In the suit, Olawepo-Hashim had asked the court to determine whether Accord could legally refuse to upload his name to INEC’s nomination portal after his alleged victory at the primary.

He argued that the party’s failure to submit his name breached Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026, as well as relevant constitutional provisions and INEC guidelines.

He alternatively asked the court to order Accord to conduct a fresh presidential primary in which he would be allowed to participate.

Olawepo-Hashim also stated in an affidavit that he was a registered and financially compliant Accord member.

He said he contributed N7m to the party’s electronic membership registration programme and paid N50m for the presidential nomination forms.

He further maintained that he was the sole aspirant at the May 30 primary and that INEC officials monitored the exercise.

Following the judgment, Olawepo-Hashim thanked God for the victory and called for reconciliation among Accord stakeholders and members.

He also urged party members to unite and work towards victory in the January 16, 2027 presidential election and other elections.The judgment places Olawepo-Hashim’s candidacy within the official electoral process, although the ruling may still face further legal challenge or appeal.