The Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday adjourned the suit challenging the Accord Party’s 2027 presidential ticket to Wednesday, July 15, after the defendants filed additional court processes shortly before the hearing.
The suit, filed by Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim against the Accord Party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), was adjourned after both defendants served fresh court processes on his legal team shortly before proceedings commenced.
Counsel to the plaintiff informed the court that the documents had only just been received and requested time to study and respond to the new filings before the substantive hearing could proceed.
The trial judge subsequently fixed 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, for hearing.
At the centre of the dispute is Olawepo-Hashim’s claim that he emerged as the sole aspirant and winner of the Accord Party’s presidential primary, but that the party failed to transmit his name to INEC in line with the Electoral Act.
Through the suit, he is seeking a declaration affirming him as the Accord Party’s lawful presidential candidate for the 2027 general election and an order compelling the party to submit his name to INEC following the presidential primary held on June 30, 2026.
In the alternative, he is asking the court to order the conduct of a fresh presidential primary if the court declines to grant the principal relief.
According to the court filings, Olawepo-Hashim also contends that he met the constitutional and statutory requirements for the nomination process, including payment of the ₦50 million nomination fee, and that the presidential primary was monitored by INEC officials.
Earlier, some Accord Party members and supporters of Olawepo-Hashim gathered at the Federal High Court premises in Abuja while proceedings were ongoing.
