Justice Mohammed Garba Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Accord Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise and uphold Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The court directed Accord Party to submit Olawepo-Hashim’s name to INEC in accordance with Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026, while ordering the electoral commission to accept and recognise the nomination.
Justice Umar issued the order while delivering judgment in a suit filed by Olawepo-Hashim against Accord Party and INEC over the party’s refusal to forward his name following its May 30 presidential primary.
Court Faults Accord Party Over Presidential Primary
The judge held that Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026 was violated when Accord Party failed to submit Olawepo-Hashim’s name to INEC after he emerged from the primary election as the sole aspirant.
Accord Party had denied conducting any presidential primary, but Justice Umar rejected the argument after considering evidence presented before the court.
The court noted that Olawepo-Hashim had paid N50 million for expression of interest and nomination forms, which were subsequently accepted by the party.
Justice Umar further held that several of the claims made by Accord Party concerning the disputed presidential primary were contradictory and inconsistent with the provisions of the law.
Olawepo-Hashim Challenges Cancellation Letter
Olawepo-Hashim, represented by his counsel, Henry Akunebu (SAN), had asked the court to compel Accord Party to immediately upload his name to INEC’s nomination portal as its presidential candidate.
He also urged the court to direct INEC to recognise and accept his nomination for the 2027 presidential election.
Akunebu challenged the authenticity of documents tendered by Accord Party and INEC, particularly a letter purportedly cancelling the party’s presidential primary.
According to the senior lawyer, the disputed letter did not carry the official stamp of the party. He also pointed out that although it was addressed to the INEC Chairman, it was received by an unnamed national commissioner.
The lawyer argued that political parties are legally bound by the Electoral Act, their respective constitutions and INEC guidelines when nominating candidates.
He maintained that once a political party conducts a valid primary election, it has a statutory obligation to forward the name of the winner to INEC.
Akunebu therefore urged the court to discountenance the disputed exhibits, which he described as documents fabricated during the proceedings.
What Olawepo-Hashim Asked the Court to Decide
In the originating summons, Olawepo-Hashim asked the Federal High Court to determine whether 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 specifically sought a declaration that the party’s failure to submit his name breached Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026 as well as Clauses 28(1) and 28(2) of the INEC guidelines on candidate nomination.
The plaintiff also asked the court to order Accord Party to submit his name to INEC.
Alternatively, he asked the court to direct the party to conduct a fresh presidential primary in which he would be allowed to participate.
N57m Payments Cited in Court
In an affidavit filed in support of the suit, Olawepo-Hashim described himself as a registered and financial member of Accord Party.
He stated that he contributed N7 million towards the party’s electronic membership registration and subsequently paid N50 million as the nomination fee for the presidential primary.
He maintained that he emerged as the sole aspirant and winner of the May 30 presidential primary, which he said was monitored by officials of INEC.
However, he accused the party of failing to forward his name to the electoral commission despite his alleged emergence as the winner.
The Federal High Court’s ruling now places an immediate obligation on Accord Party to recognise Olawepo-Hashim’s candidacy and submit his details to INEC, subject to any further legal developments arising from the judgment.