Federal High Court Directs Party to Submit His Name to INEC After Disputed May 30 Primary
The Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Accord Party to recognise Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election and submit his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Justice Mohammed Garba Umar gave the order in a suit filed by Olawepo-Hashim, ruling that the refusal to submit his name after the May 30 presidential primary violated Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026.
The court rejected the party’s claim that no presidential primary was conducted, noting evidence that Olawepo-Hashim paid N50 million for expression of interest and nomination forms.
Olawepo-Hashim, through his counsel, Henry Akunebu, SAN, had asked the court to compel the party to upload his name to INEC’s nomination portal and direct the electoral body to accept his nomination.
The lawyer also challenged documents tendered by Accord Party and INEC, including a letter purportedly cancelling the presidential primary. He argued that the document lacked the party’s official stamp and was addressed to the INEC chairman but received by an unnamed national commissioner.
In his suit, Olawepo-Hashim asked the court to declare that the party’s failure to submit his name violated the Electoral Act, the Constitution and INEC’s guidelines on candidate nomination.
He also sought an order compelling Accord Party to submit his name or, alternatively, conduct a fresh presidential primary in which he would participate.
Olawepo-Hashim said he was a registered and financial member of the party, adding that he contributed N7 million towards its electronic membership registration and paid N50 million as nomination fees.
He maintained that he emerged as the sole aspirant and winner of the May 30 primary, which he said was monitored by INEC officials, but that the party subsequently failed to forward his name to the electoral commission.