•Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim and Accord Party logo
The national leadership of Accord yesterday disowned Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The party said the alleged presidential primary where he emerged as the “presidential candidate of Accord” as widely reported in the national media was not conducted by Accord, reports Daily Independent.
A statement by the party’s national chairman, Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem which was made available to the media, said, “Accord did not have a presidential aspirant let alone a presidential candidate within the party’s approved Guidelines, Timetable, and Schedule of Activities for the conduct of the presidential nomination process, as duly communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The party upholds strict internal democracy in its activities including nomination process.
“While numerous aspirants rushed to purchase Accord’s expression of interest and nomination forms for Governorship, State House of Assembly, House of Representatives and Senate, no aspirant purchased expression of interest and nomination forms for president within the party’s electoral guidelines timeframe.
“Accordingly, the electoral umpire was duly notified of the cancellation of the party’s scheduled presidential primary.
“On 26th May 2026, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim wrote the party expressing interest in contesting for president which was received after the expiration of the approved timeline which could not be processed as a valid application under the party’s presidential nomination process.
“It was after the elapse of the party’s timeframe for the purchase of the expression of interest and nomination forms as well as the screening of any aspirant for president that Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim paid for the said forms into the party’s bank account.
“In keeping with the Accord’s cherished principles of transparency, accountability, and due process, the party instructed its bankers to reverse the payments of ₦10,000,000.00 and ₦40,000,000.00 expression of interest and nomination forms fees respectfully to the originating bank.
“The party also turned down Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim’s request to be declared the party’s presidential candidate on the basis that no other aspirant presented himself for nomination, as eligibility to participate in the nomination process was predicated upon full compliance with the requirements contained in Accord’s guidelines, including collection of expression of interest/nomination forms, filling and timely submission of the forms on or before the scheduled screening date and participation in the approved timeframe.
“The absence of other aspirants would not dispense with these mandatory conditions nor confer automatic entitlement to nomination.
“On 31st May 2026, the party responded to Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim’s letter dated 26th May instant.
“The party acknowledges receipt of your letter dated 26th May 2026 expressing your interest in contesting for the office of President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the platform of Accord in the upcoming 2027 General Elections, as well as your subsequent petition dated 31st May 2026 addressed to the Presidential Primary Appeal Committee.
“The matters raised in both correspondences have been carefully considered alongside the Party’s approved Guidelines, Timetable, and Schedule of Activities for the conduct of the presidential nomination process, as duly communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Party’s approved timetable stipulated 25th May 2026 as the date slated for the screening of presidential aspirants. Participation in the presidential nomination process was contingent upon the purchase of expression of interest and nomination form, filling and timely submission of same and appearance for the mandatory screening exercise within the prescribed period.
“Regrettably, no aspirant purchased and/or submitted an expression of interest/ nomination form nor presented himself for screening on or before the stipulated deadline. Your letter dated 26th May 2026 expressing interest in contesting for the presidential nomination was received after the expiration of the approved timeline.
“Consequently, it could not be processed as a valid application under the Party’s presidential nomination process.
“Following the expiration timeline for the purchase of expression of interest and nomination forms, stipulated screening period and the absence of any aspirant for screening, the Party formally notified INEC of the cancellation of the scheduled presidential primary election.
“Subsequently, after the relevant timelines had elapsed and the cancellation had been communicated to INEC, the Party received bank alerts indicating payments of ₦10,000,000.00 and ₦40,000,000.00.
“In view of the fact that no valid expression of interest/nomination form had been purchased, filled and submitted within the prescribed period and no aspirant had participated in the mandatory screening exercise, the Party could not lawfully or administratively process the payments as nomination fees for a process that had already been concluded.
“Accordingly, and in keeping with the principles of transparency, accountability, and due process, the Party instructed its bankers to reverse the payments to the originating account.
“With respect to your contention that you should be declared the Party’s presidential candidate on the basis that no other aspirant presented himself for nomination, we wish to state that such a position is not supported by the Party’s rules and procedures.
“Eligibility to participate in the nomination process is predicated upon full compliance with all requirements contained in the Party’s guidelines, including collection of nomination /expression of interest forms, filling and timely submission of the forms on or before the scheduled screening date within the stipulated party guideline timeframe and participation in the Party’s screening process within the approved timeframe.
“The absence of other aspirants does not dispense with these mandatory conditions or confer automatic entitlement to nomination.
“Electoral and party processes are strictly time-bound, and adherence to approved schedules is fundamental to ensuring fairness, transparency, equal opportunity and compliance with applicable electoral regulations and party guidelines.
“The Party remains committed to these principles and to the uniform application of its Constitution, Guidelines, Timetable, and duly approved procedures to all members without exception.
“In view of the foregoing, the Party is unable to process your expression of interest letter submitted after the prescribed deadline, and your petition to the Presidential Primary Appeal Committee can not be processed at all.
“We appreciate your interest in the affairs of the Party and your commitment to its ideals and objectives.”
“Members of the public, particularly the media should be guided accordingly in their reports on political parties’ presidential candidates as relates to our great party.
Accord has no presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The party however nominated candidates for governorship and legislative offices.”
