The national leadership of Accord has dismissed claims that Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim is the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, stating that no presidential primary was held and no candidate has been chosen for the race.
The clarification was made on Wednesday by the party’s National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbuden, following reports that Olawepo-Hashim had emerged as Accord’s presidential flagbearer after what was described by his camp as an affirmation primary.
According to the party, the event that produced Olawepo-Hashim was not organised or recognised by Accord’s national leadership. The party maintained that the gathering was carried out by his supporters and had no connection to its official nomination process.
Mgbuden explained that Accord did not have any qualified presidential aspirant during the period outlined in its approved timetable submitted to INEC. While several aspirants successfully completed processes for governorship, National Assembly and state assembly tickets, no presidential aspirant fulfilled the requirements within the stipulated period.
The party disclosed that Olawepo-Hashim only formally indicated his interest in the presidential race through a letter dated May 26, 2026, after the deadline for submission and screening of aspirants had already passed. As a result, Accord informed INEC that its planned presidential primary would not take place.
Accord further revealed that Olawepo-Hashim later paid a total of N50 million into the party’s account, comprising N10 million for an expression of interest form and N40 million for a nomination form. However, the party said the payment was made after the nomination process had ended.
Following its internal review, the party directed its bank to refund the entire amount to the source account, stating that the payment could not be accepted because it fell outside the approved nomination period.
The party also rejected the argument that Olawepo-Hashim should automatically become its presidential candidate because there were no other aspirants. Accord insisted that all aspirants must comply with established procedures regardless of the level of competition.
According to the party, it communicated its decision to Olawepo-Hashim in a letter dated May 31, informing him that both his expression of interest and subsequent petition could not be considered because they were submitted after the deadline.
Accord maintained that it currently has no presidential candidate for the 2027 election, although it has successfully produced candidates for governorship and legislative positions across the country.