The Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment in a legal battle over the recognition of Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as the Accord Party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election. Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the matter for judgment after all parties submitted their final written addresses, with the exact date to be communicated later. The case centers on whether the Accord Party legally cancelled its presidential primary election and whether Olawepo-Hashim’s name should be submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the party’s official candidate.
Olawepo-Hashim, represented by his lawyer Henry Akunebu, SAN, is seeking a court order compelling the Accord Party to immediately forward his name to INEC. He argues that documents presented by the party and INEC, including a letter allegedly cancelling the primary that produced him, are invalid due to lack of official party stamp and other irregularities. He insists these documents raise serious doubts about their authenticity and should not be accepted by the court as evidence.
The plaintiff also challenged the admissibility of the Accord Party’s computer-generated membership register, stating it fails to meet legal requirements for evidence in court. He maintained that the party never officially cancelled the presidential primary and therefore has no grounds to deny him recognition as the candidate. Olawepo-Hashim is seeking a declaration that the party’s refusal to submit his name violates the Electoral Act 2026, the Nigerian Constitution, and INEC’s guidelines.
On the other hand, the Accord Party has asked the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the presidential primary was validly cancelled because no aspirant purchased nomination forms or participated in the exercise. The party also emphasized that INEC did not monitor the primary because it had already been cancelled. INEC echoed this position, stating it had no role in the alleged primary since the party had formally declared it null and void.
In addition to seeking recognition as the candidate, Olawepo-Hashim is asking the court to order the Accord Party to conduct a fresh presidential primary if his request is denied. He insists that he should be allowed to participate in any new primary process. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how political parties handle candidate selection and cancellation procedures in Nigeria’s electoral framework.
As the court prepares to deliver its judgment, political watchers are closely monitoring the case for its potential impact on future elections. The decision may influence how parties manage internal processes and how courts interpret electoral laws in disputes over candidate recognition.
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