Accord disowns Olawepo-Hashim’s 2027 candidacy, refunds N50m

The national leadership of the Accord party has officially disowned Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, asserting that the party neither conducted a presidential primary nor produced any candidate for the race. National Chairman Maxwell Mgbuden clarified in a statement that the purported primary election, which allegedly affirmed Olawepo-Hashim, was not recognized by the party's leadership and was merely a gathering organized by his supporters.

"The purported presidential primary where he emerged as the 'presidential candidate of Accord' as widely reported in the national media was not conducted by our great party and has no effect whatsoever," Mgbuden stated. He emphasized that the event was a "fanfare by his supporters, which should not be misconstrued as the party’s presidential primary."

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The purported presidential primary where he emerged as the ‘presidential candidate of Accord’ as widely reported in the national media was not conducted by our great party and has no effect whatsoever.

Mgbuden further explained that Accord did not have any valid presidential aspirant within the timeframe stipulated by its guidelines submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission. While several aspirants purchased nomination forms for other positions, no one completed the presidential process within the approved timeline. Olawepo-Hashim reportedly expressed interest in the presidency via a letter dated May 26, 2026, after the deadline for submission and screening had already passed.

The party also disclosed that it received N50 million from Olawepo-Hashim for the expression of interest and nomination forms after the process concluded. Accord stated that it instructed its bankers to reverse these payments, as they could not be processed under a nomination exercise that had already been concluded. The party maintained its commitment to transparency and accountability.

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It was a fanfare by his supporters, which should not be misconstrued as the party’s presidential primary. It was not.