Abuja: The national leadership of Accord has disowned Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections. The party’s National Chairman, Mr. Maxwell Mgbuden, issued a statement urging the public to disregard reports naming Olawepo-Hashim as Accord’s presidential candidate.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Mgbuden clarified that the purported presidential primary, where Olawepo-Hashim reportedly emerged as a candidate, was not conducted by Accord and holds no legal standing. Mgbuden emphasized that the party had no presidential aspirant within the timeframe outlined in its approved guidelines, timetable, and activities schedule communicated to INEC.
He further explained that no aspirant purchased an expression of interest and nomination forms for the presidency before the deadline, which led to the cancellation of the scheduled primary. Mgbuden stated that the electoral body was duly informed about the cancellation of the party’s presidential primary election.
Olawepo-Hashim’s expression of interest in contesting came on May 26, after the expiration of the approved timeline for participation in the process. Payments of N10 million and N40 million made by Olawepo-Hashim for nomination forms were received after the process had concluded. In line with transparency and due process, the party instructed its bankers to reverse the payments to the originating account.
Mgbuden reiterated that eligibility for nomination requires adherence to all guidelines, including the purchase and submission of forms, as well as participation in the screening exercise. He stressed that the absence of other aspirants does not confer automatic entitlement to nomination. As it stands, Accord currently has no presidential candidate for the 2027 presidential elections.