The Accord has abandoned Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as their presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
The Party stated that it did not create a presidential candidate after the sale of expressions of interest and nomination papers, did not screen any aspirants, and did not have a primary election for the office.
Accord stated that its intended presidential primary poll was cancelled because to a lack of aspirants within the deadline specified in its electoral standards, and that the Independent National Electoral Commission was notified.
The party stated that it had directed the bank to reverse Olawepo-Hashim’s payments for the expression of interest and nomination forms, claiming that the payment was made after the statutory date and when the process was complete.
Accord’s statement signed by Barrister Maxwell Mgbuden, National Chairman, its National Chairman, said that the purported presidential primary where he emerged as the presidential candidate was not conducted by the national leadership of the party and has no effect whatsoever, adding that it was a fanfare by his supporters.
The statement 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 respects tight internal democracy in all of its activities, including the nomination process.
“While many aspirants rushed to buy Accord’s expression of interest and nomination forms for Governor, State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate, no one bought expressions of interest and nomination forms for President within the party’s electoral guidelines timeframe. As a result, the electoral umpire was properly notified of the cancellation of the party’s scheduled presidential primary.
“On May 26, 2026, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim wrote to the party expressing interest in running for president, but the letter was received after the permitted timetable had expired, therefore it could not be processed as a legal 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 accordance with the Accord’s treasured ideals of openness, accountability, and due process, the party directed its bankers to reverse the payments of N10,000,000.00 and N40,000,000.00 expression of interest and nomination form fees to the originating bank.”
The party said it 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 on 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.
“The absence of other aspirants would not dispense with these mandatory conditions nor confer automatic entitlement to nomination,” it said.