Court Recognizes Hashim as Accord Party’s 2027 Candidate

The Federal High Court in Abuja has recognized Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as Accord Party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election and ordered the party to submit his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Justice Mohammed Umar’s ruling on October 5 resolves the immediate court dispute over the party’s presidential nomination, though it is not clear whether the party has complied with the order. The court dismissed preliminary objections to Hashim’s suit and rejected a purported letter that Accord Party relied on to notify INEC that its May 30, 2026, presidential primary had been cancelled. The ruling recognized Hashim’s emergence from that primary, according to the report of the judgment. Hashim had asked the court to recognize him as the party’s duly nominated candidate. He maintained that he was the sole aspirant and winner of the May primary, and sought an order requiring the party to forward his name to INEC. Alternatively, he asked the court to direct Accord Party to hold a fresh primary in which he could participate.