Gbenga Hashim sues Accord, INEC, urges court to uphold him as party’s presidential candidate

A suit filed by Accord Party presidential aspirant, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, is currently before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking his recognition as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The case was heard on Thursday amidst a show of solidarity from the plaintiff's supporters who gathered at the court premises.

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The suit came up on Thursday amid the presence of supporters of the plaintiff, who gathered at the court premises in solidarity.

In his originating summons, Olawepo-Hashim has named the Accord Party as the first defendant and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the second. He is asking the court to determine if the party's failure to submit his name to INEC after he reportedly emerged from the party’s presidential primary constitutes a violation of the Electoral Act 2026, the Constitution, and INEC's regulations.

The plaintiff is seeking a declaration that the Accord Party's refusal to forward his name to INEC contravenes Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026 and relevant electoral guidelines for candidate nominations. He also wants the court to compel the party to submit his name to INEC as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election. As an alternative, he is requesting the court to order the party to conduct a fresh presidential primary in which he can participate.

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He is asking the court to determine whether the party’s failure to submit his name to INEC after he emerged from the party’s presidential primary violates the Electoral Act 2026, the Constitution and INEC’s regulations for political parties.

Olawepo-Hashim stated in an affidavit supporting the suit that he is a registered and financial member of the Accord Party. He claims to have paid the prescribed nomination fee to contest the presidential primary and emerged as the successful aspirant in the exercise conducted on May 30, 2026. Despite this outcome, he alleges the party failed to submit his name to INEC. His counsel, Chief Henry Akunebu (SAN), argued that political parties must comply with the Electoral Act, their constitutions, and INEC guidelines. He submitted that once a valid primary election produces a winner, the party is legally obligated to forward the aspirant's name to INEC.

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Alternatively, he is asking the court to order the party to conduct a fresh presidential primary in which he would participate.

During Thursday's proceedings, INEC's counsel requested an adjournment to prepare a response, a request supported by the Accord Party's counsel. The plaintiff's counsel opposed the adjournment, urging the court to proceed. The court granted the adjournment request and scheduled the hearing of the substantive suit for July 14, 2026.

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Counsel to the plaintiff, Chief Henry Akunebu (SAN), argued that political parties are required by law to comply with the Electoral Act, their constitutions and INEC guidelines in the nomination of candidates.