Adeleke risks 2026 defeat over Tinubu support, Olawepo-Hashim warns

Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, presidential candidate for the Accord Party, has warned Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke that his continued support for President Bola Tinubu could jeopardize his 2026 reelection bid. The warning comes from Olawepo-Hashim's support group, the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM), which disputes claims made by the Accord Party's Osun Chairman, Pastor Victor Akande.

GHSM stated that Akande's comments questioning the presidential candidate's relevance were misleading and based on distorted facts. The group clarified that Governor Adeleke's endorsement of President Tinubu occurred before Adeleke joined the Accord Party, while he was still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The Osun PDP leadership caucus had endorsed Tinubu for a second term in July 2025, an endorsement GHSM rejected at the time.

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The facts are clear. Governor Adeleke endorsed President Tinubu before joining Accord Party. Also, Accord Party’s national leadership invited Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim to provide presidential leadership for the party, and he emerged as the presidential candidate through open direct primaries.

The movement further explained that the national leadership of the Accord Party engaged Olawepo-Hashim in March 2026 to build a broader political platform for the 2027 presidential election. This engagement, involving the party's National Chairman Maxwell Mgbudem and other national officers, led to Olawepo-Hashim emerging as the presidential candidate through direct primaries. GHSM argued this development invalidates any claims that the Accord Party lacked presidential direction when Adeleke endorsed Tinubu.

"The facts are clear. Governor Adeleke endorsed President Tinubu before joining Accord Party. Also, Accord Party’s national leadership invited Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim to provide presidential leadership for the party, and he emerged as the presidential candidate through open direct primaries," GHSM stated. The group cautioned that Adeleke's approach within the Accord Party could create internal contradictions, similar to those that weakened the PDP, emphasizing that parties thrive on respect for structures and collective decisions. "Accord Party must not travel the same path that weakened PDP. A political party cannot survive when individual calculations are placed above the collective aspirations of its members," the group added. GHSM also noted that 24 state chairmen of the Accord Party had endorsed Olawepo-Hashim and that a legal dispute over the party's presidential primary is pending in court.

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Accord Party must not travel the same path that weakened PDP. A political party cannot survive when individual calculations are placed above the collective aspirations of its members.