The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 14, 2026, to hear a suit filed by Accord Party presidential aspirant, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, seeking to be recognised as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
In the suit, Olawepo-Hashim is challenging the Accord Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the party’s alleged failure to submit his name to the electoral body after he emerged victorious in the party’s presidential primary held on May 30, 2026.
The plaintiff is asking the court to declare that the party’s refusal to forward his name to INEC violates the Electoral Act 2026, the Nigerian Constitution and INEC’s electoral guidelines.
He is also seeking an order compelling the Accord Party to submit his name as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election. Alternatively, he wants the court to direct the party to conduct a fresh presidential primary in which he would participate.
In an affidavit before the court, Olawepo-Hashim stated that he is a registered and financial member of the Accord Party, paid the required nomination fee and lawfully emerged as the winner of the party’s presidential primary.
His lawyer, Chief Henry Akunebu (SAN), argued that once a valid primary election produces a winner, the political party has a legal obligation to forward the successful candidate’s name to INEC.
During Thursday’s proceedings, INEC requested more time to file its response to the suit, a request supported by the Accord Party. Although the plaintiff opposed the adjournment, the court granted the application and fixed July 14, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive case.
Source: Federal High Court, Abuja
