Court Fixes July 14 to Hear Olawepo-Hashim’s Suit Against Accord Party, INEC Over 2027 Presidential Ticket

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed July 14, 2026, for the hearing of a suit filed by Accord Party chieftain, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, seeking an order compelling the party to recognise him as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections and forward his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Olawepo-Hashim, who joined the Accord Party and INEC as the first and second defendants respectively, is asking the court to determine whether the party’s failure to upload and submit his name to INEC’s nomination portal, despite emerging as the sole winner of its presidential primary held on May 30, 2026, violates the Electoral Act 2026, the 1999 Constitution (as amended), and INEC’s Guidelines for Political Parties.

In the suit, the plaintiff seeks a declaration that the party’s refusal to forward his name contravenes Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026 and Clauses 28(1) and 28(2) of INEC’s guidelines on candidate nomination.

He is also asking the court to compel the Accord Party to immediately upload and submit his name to INEC as its presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

Alternatively, Olawepo-Hashim prayed the court to order the party to conduct a fresh presidential primary in which he would be allowed to participate if it declines to compel the submission of his name.

In a supporting affidavit, the plaintiff described himself as a registered and financial member of the Accord Party. He stated that he sponsored the party’s electronic membership registration exercise with ₦7 million and paid the prescribed ₦50 million nomination fee to contest the presidential primary.

He maintained that he emerged as the sole aspirant and winner of the primary election, which he said was monitored by officials of INEC in compliance with the Electoral Act. However, he alleged that despite his emergence, the party failed to submit his name to the electoral commission.

Olawepo-Hashim further claimed that although the Accord Party did not issue formal guidelines for the conduct of the primary as required by INEC regulations, he participated based on assurances given by the party’s national leadership.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Henry Akunebu (SAN), argued that political parties are under a legal obligation to comply with the Electoral Act, their constitutions and INEC’s guidelines in the nomination of candidates.

He submitted that once a political party conducts a valid primary election, it is statutorily bound to forward the name of the successful candidate to INEC and urged the court to uphold the principles of internal party democracy by granting all the reliefs sought.

At the proceedings, Justice Mohammed Umar granted an application by INEC’s counsel, H.S. Danjuma, seeking an extension of time to file the commission’s memorandum of appearance and deemed the processes properly filed and served.

Danjuma informed the court that he was only briefed by the commission on July 6 and requested a short adjournment to enable INEC file its counter-affidavit and written address.

While counsel to the Accord Party, Egasi Olusesi, did not oppose the request, Akunebu urged the court to bar INEC from participating further in the matter, arguing that the commission failed to comply with the 10-day timeline stipulated under the Practice Directions for pre-election cases.

In a brief ruling, Justice Umar held that the matter was scheduled for a report of service and hearing and adjourned proceedings until July 14, 2026, for the substantive hearing.

The outcome of the case is expected to provide judicial clarity on the enforcement of the Electoral Act 2026 and the extent of the courts’ oversight over internal party nomination processes ahead of the 2027 general elections.