INEC Joins Presidential Aspirant’s Suit against Accord

A presidential aspirant of the Accord Party, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, is pursuing legal action to be recognized as the party's candidate for the 2027 general election. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has now joined the suit, which was heard at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The court adjourned the substantive hearing to Wednesday, July 15, 2026. This decision came after Olawepo-Hashim's lawyer requested time to study and respond to court processes filed by INEC. The aspirant's legal team aims to compel the Accord Party to acknowledge him as the presidential candidate and forward his name to the electoral umpire.

Hundreds of Accord Party members and supporters gathered at the court, underscoring the grassroots support for Olawepo-Hashim's bid. He maintains he secured the presidential mandate at the party's primary election on May 30, 2026. The suit names the Accord Party and INEC as defendants.

Olawepo-Hashim is asking the court to determine if the party's failure to upload his name to INEC's nomination portal, despite his emergence as the sole winner of the primary, violates the Electoral Act 2026, the Constitution, and INEC's guidelines. He seeks a declaration that the party's refusal breaches Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026 and Clauses 28(1) and (2) of the electoral guidelines on candidate nomination. Alternatively, he requests the court to order the party to conduct a fresh presidential primary.