The Abuja Division of the Federal High Court has set July 15, 2026, as the date for the substantive hearing of a lawsuit filed by Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, a prominent member of the Accord Party, who is seeking to be recognised as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. The case, which involves a dispute over the party’s failure to submit his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was adjourned after INEC’s late entry into the legal proceedings. Both the Accord Party and INEC served fresh court documents to Hashim’s legal team just before the hearing began on Tuesday, prompting his counsel, Henry Akunebu, SAN, to request additional time to review the materials. Justice Mohammed Umar granted the adjournment, moving the matter to Wednesday to allow for proper legal preparation.
The court session attracted hundreds of Accord Party members and supporters, who gathered around Hashim upon his arrival and remained present throughout the hearing, showing strong backing for his legal challenge. Hashim, who named the Accord Party as the first defendant and INEC as the second, is asking the court to declare that the party’s refusal to upload his name to INEC’s nomination portal violates the Electoral Act 2026, the Nigerian Constitution, and INEC’s candidate nomination guidelines. He argues that his victory in the May 30 presidential primary, which was monitored by INEC officials, legally obligates the party to forward his name for registration.
In his suit, Hashim seeks a declaration that the party’s actions breached Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026 and Clauses 28(1) and (2) of INEC’s electoral guidelines. He is also requesting an order compelling the Accord Party to upload and submit his name to INEC. As an alternative, he is asking the court to direct the party to hold a fresh presidential primary in which he can participate. Hashim’s affidavit states that he is a registered and financial member of the party, having contributed ₦7 million to its electronic membership drive and paid the ₦50 million nomination fee required to contest the primary.
He claims he emerged as the sole aspirant and winner of the primary, despite the party’s failure to issue official guidelines for the exercise as required by INEC. Hashim asserts that he proceeded based on assurances from the party’s national leadership. His counsel, Akunebu, emphasized that political parties are legally required to comply with the Electoral Act, their internal constitutions, and INEC’s regulations when nominating candidates. He urged the court to uphold internal party democracy and grant all the reliefs sought. The outcome of this case could set a significant precedent for how political parties handle candidate nominations and their obligations under electoral laws.
Leave a Comment