The Federal High Court in Abuja has recognised Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as the Accord Party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.
The judgment delivered on Monday brings to a conclusion the legal dispute surrounding the party’s presidential ticket.
Justice Mohammed Umar dismissed the preliminary objections filed against Hashim’s suit and rejected the purported letter used to inform the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that the party’s presidential primary had been cancelled.
The court further directed Accord Party to upload Hashim’s name to the INEC portal as its presidential candidate, thereby recognising his emergence from the May 30, 2026 presidential primary.
Hashim had gone to court seeking an order confirming him as the party’s validly nominated candidate. He argued that he was the only aspirant and emerged victorious at the May 30 primary.
His case was presented by Henry Akunebu, SAN, who asked the court to compel Accord Party to recognise Hashim’s candidacy and submit his name to INEC.
Akunebu disputed the authenticity and evidential value of documents used to challenge Hashim’s emergence, particularly the alleged letter notifying INEC of the primary’s cancellation.
He argued that the purported cancellation letter did not carry the party’s official stamp or imprimatur and also raised questions about how the document came into INEC’s possession.
Representing Accord Party, T.W. Olusesi argued that the primary had been cancelled and that no valid exercise produced Hashim as the party’s presidential candidate.
INEC’s counsel, D.J. Gusen, also maintained that the commission did not monitor the May 30 exercise because it had been notified that the primary was cancelled.
Justice Umar, however, dismissed the preliminary objections and rejected the alleged cancellation letter, allowing the court to recognise the outcome of the May 30 primary.
The ruling comes after months of litigation over Accord Party’s presidential ticket and the party’s failure to submit Hashim’s name to INEC despite his claim that he won the primary.
Hashim had argued that the refusal to upload his name breached the Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026 and applicable INEC regulations and guidelines on the nomination of political candidates.
In his originating summons, he asked the court to determine whether Accord Party could lawfully refuse to upload his details to the INEC nomination portal after a primary in which he emerged as the winner.
He also requested, as an alternative, an order compelling the party to conduct another presidential primary in which he would be permitted to participate.
Throughout the case, Hashim maintained that he was a registered and financially compliant member of Accord Party. He said he paid the required ₦50 million presidential nomination fee and contributed ₦7 million to the party’s electronic membership registration programme.
He further maintained that INEC officials were present to monitor the May 30 primary, during which he emerged as the sole aspirant.
Reacting to the judgment, Hashim attributed the victory to God and appealed to party members and stakeholders to unite.
“I give God the Glory for this victory, I dedicate the victory also to all stakeholders and our dear party members and my hardworking legal team .We are grateful to tthe Judiciary that has done justice on this matter.
“We won’t leave anybody behind…We should all come together and work for the party’s victory in the January 16, 2027 presidential election and all other elections .The march to a New Nigeria has started …” said Hashim.
The court’s order settles the immediate legal dispute over Accord Party’s presidential nomination and places Hashim’s candidacy within the formal electoral process.
