The Accord Party has dismissed reports suggesting that Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has emerged as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, insisting that it currently has no presidential candidate.
In a statement issued by the party’s National Chairman, Barrister Maxwell Mgbuden, the party described the purported presidential primary that reportedly produced Olawepo-Hashim as Accord’s flagbearer as an event organized by his supporters and not an official party exercise.
“The purported presidential primary where he emerged as the ‘presidential candidate of Accord’ as widely reported in the national media was not conducted by our great party and has no effect whatsoever,” Mgbuden stated.
According to the party, the event was merely a fanfare organized by supporters of Olawepo-Hashim and should not be misconstrued as an official Accord presidential primary.
The party explained that it conducted its nomination processes strictly in line with its approved guidelines, timetable, and schedule of activities, which were duly communicated to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Accord noted that while several aspirants purchased expression of interest and nomination forms for governorship, State House of Assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate positions, no individual purchased presidential nomination forms within the stipulated timeframe.
“As a result, the party duly notified INEC of the cancellation of its scheduled presidential primary,” the statement said.
The party further disclosed that Olawepo-Hashim formally expressed interest in contesting for the presidency through a letter dated May 26, 2026, after the deadline for presidential nominations had expired.
It added that he subsequently paid ₦10 million and ₦40 million for the expression of interest and nomination forms respectively after the nomination process had closed and the screening period had ended.
“In keeping with Accord’s cherished principles of transparency, accountability and due process, the party instructed its bankers to reverse the payments to the originating account,” the statement said.
The party also rejected Olawepo-Hashim’s request to be declared its presidential candidate on the grounds that he was the sole aspirant.
According to Accord, eligibility for participation in its presidential nomination process was subject to compliance with all requirements, including timely purchase and submission of nomination forms as well as participation in the mandatory screening exercise.
“The absence of other aspirants does not dispense with these mandatory conditions nor confer automatic entitlement to nomination,” the party maintained.
The National Chairman revealed that the party formally responded to Olawepo-Hashim’s correspondence on May 31, reiterating that his expression of interest and subsequent petition could not be processed because they were submitted after the approved deadline.
The party emphasized that electoral and party processes are strictly time bound and that adherence to approved schedules is essential to ensuring fairness, transparency, equal opportunity, and compliance with electoral regulations.
Accord urged members of the public and the media to be guided accordingly in their reports concerning presidential candidates of political parties.
The party reiterated that it currently has no presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, although it has successfully nominated candidates for governorship and legislative positions.
