The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 14 for the hearing of a suit filed by Accord Party presidential aspirant, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, challenging the party’s failure to recognise him as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
In the suit before Justice Mohammed Umar, Hashim is asking the court to compel the Accord Party to recognise him as its presidential candidate and submit his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He is also seeking a declaration that the party’s refusal to upload his name to INEC’s nomination portal after he emerged from the party’s presidential primary violated the Electoral Act, 2026, the Constitution and INEC’s regulations for political parties.
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As an alternative relief, Hashim urged the court to order the party to conduct a fresh presidential primary in which he would participate if it declines to direct the submission of his name to INEC.
Hashim Alleges Breach of Electoral Act
In documents filed before the court, Hashim said he is a registered and financial member of the Accord Party and claimed he sponsored the party’s electronic membership registration with ₦7 million.
He also stated that he paid ₦50 million for the party’s presidential nomination form and emerged as the sole aspirant and winner of the primary election held on May 30, 2026.
According to him, the primary was monitored by officials of INEC in line with the Electoral Act, but the party failed to forward his name to the electoral commission.
Hashim further alleged that the party did not provide guidelines for the conduct of the presidential primary as required by INEC’s regulations, although he said he proceeded with the process based on assurances from the party’s leadership.
His counsel, Henry Akunebu (SAN), argued that political parties are bound by the Electoral Act, their constitutions and INEC guidelines in the nomination of candidates.
He maintained that once a valid primary election produces a winner, the party has a legal obligation to submit the winner’s name to INEC.
At Thursday’s proceedings, counsel to INEC sought an adjournment to enable the commission to respond to the suit. The Accord Party’s lawyer supported the request, while Hashim’s counsel opposed it and urged the court to proceed with the hearing.
After listening to the parties, Justice Umar granted the adjournment and fixed July 14, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive suit.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.