Abuja:Lagos An Accord chieftain in Lagos State, Jagunmolu Moses, has expressed concerns over the Federal High Court’s decision to recognize Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as the party’s presidential candidate. This ruling is seen as a setback for the Gov. Ademola Adeleke-aligned faction, which had strategically decided not to nominate a presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the Federal High Court in Abuja, led by Justice Mohammed Umar, ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to acknowledge Olawepo-Hashim as Accord’s presidential candidate. The court instructed the party to submit his name to INEC, as per section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026, after he emerged victorious in the May 30 primary election.
Moses explained that the Adeleke faction’s initial decision to leave the presidential ticket vacant was interpreted as a maneuver to support President Bola Tinubu. He indicated that the court’s judgment introduced significant political and legal challenges for the faction, which now faces questions about its strategic motivations.
Moses highlighted Olawepo-Hashim’s journey from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to Accord, where he sought the presidential nomination through the Maxwell-Adeleke faction. The court ruling came after an initial decision not to submit any candidate to INEC, prompting questions about possible expectations of political reciprocity, especially related to the Osun governorship election.
The chieftain noted that if the Adeleke faction disagrees with the ruling, it has the option to appeal. He also pointed out ongoing leadership disputes within Accord, with unresolved claims between the Mgbudem faction and the Prof. Chris Imumolen faction, which are still awaiting judicial resolution.
Moses emphasized the structural risks facing Accord as the general elections approach, including potential legal challenges. He suggested that the true political outcomes of the faction’s strategy would become clearer over time.