By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo
The Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned to July 14, 2026, a suit filed by Accord Party presidential aspirant, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, seeking to be recognised as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
The suit came up on Thursday amid the presence of supporters of the plaintiff, who gathered at the court premises in solidarity.
In the originating summons, Olawepo-Hashim named the Accord Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the first and second defendants, respectively.
He is asking the court to determine whether the party’s failure to submit his name to INEC after he emerged from the party’s presidential primary violates the Electoral Act 2026, the Constitution and INEC’s regulations for political parties.
The plaintiff is seeking a declaration that the party’s refusal to forward his name to INEC contravenes Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026 and relevant provisions of the electoral guidelines governing the nomination of candidates.
He also wants the court to compel the Accord Party to submit his name to INEC as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election. Alternatively, he is asking the court to order the party to conduct a fresh presidential primary in which he would participate.
In an affidavit supporting the suit, Olawepo-Hashim stated that he is a registered and financial member of the Accord Party. He said he paid the prescribed nomination fee to contest the presidential primary and emerged as the successful aspirant in the exercise conducted on May 30, 2026.
He further alleged that despite the outcome of the primary, the party failed to submit his name to INEC as its presidential candidate.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Chief Henry Akunebu (SAN), argued that political parties are required by law to comply with the Electoral Act, their constitutions and INEC guidelines in the nomination of candidates.
He submitted that once a valid primary election produces a winner, the party has a legal obligation to forward the successful aspirant’s name to INEC.
During Thursday’s proceedings, counsel for INEC requested an adjournment to enable the commission respond to the suit. Counsel for the Accord Party supported the application, while the plaintiff’s counsel opposed it and urged the court to proceed with the hearing.
After hearing the parties, the court granted the request for adjournment and fixed July 14, 2026, for the hearing of the substantive suit.
