The Federal High Court has ordered the Accord Party to submit the name of Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Justice Umar issued the order while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Olawepo-Hashim against the Accord Party and INEC.
The court held that the party breached Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026 by failing to forward Olawepo-Hashim’s name to INEC after he emerged from the party’s May 30 presidential primary as the sole aspirant.
The Accord Party had denied conducting a presidential primary, but the judge rejected the position after considering evidence presented before the court.
Justice Umar noted that Olawepo-Hashim had paid N50 million for the expression of interest and nomination forms, which the party received from him.
The court also found inconsistencies in several of the party’s arguments concerning the disputed primary election.
Olawepo-Hashim, through his counsel, Henry Akunebu (SAN), had asked the court to compel the party to upload his name to INEC’s nomination portal and direct the electoral commission to accept and recognise the nomination.
His lawyer also questioned documents presented by the Accord Party and INEC, including a letter said to have cancelled the presidential primary.
Akunebu argued that the disputed letter was not properly authenticated, noting that it allegedly lacked the party’s official stamp and was addressed to the INEC Chairman but received by an unidentified national commissioner.
The counsel maintained that political parties must comply with the Electoral Act, their constitutions and INEC’s guidelines when selecting candidates. He argued that once a valid primary has been conducted, the winning candidate’s name must be submitted to the electoral commission.
In his suit, Olawepo-Hashim asked the court to determine whether the party’s refusal to submit his name violated the Electoral Act 2026, the Constitution and INEC’s guidelines on the nomination of candidates.
He also sought a declaration that Accord Party’s failure to forward his name breached Section 86 of the Electoral Act as well as relevant provisions of INEC’s candidate nomination guidelines.
Alternatively, he asked the court to order the party to conduct a fresh presidential primary in which he would be allowed to participate.
In an affidavit filed before the court, Olawepo-Hashim described himself as a registered and financially committed member of the Accord Party. He said he contributed N7 million towards the party’s electronic membership registration and paid N50 million for the presidential nomination process.
He further stated that he emerged as the only aspirant at the May 30 primary, which he said was monitored by INEC officials, but alleged that the party subsequently failed to transmit his name to the electoral commission.
