Judiciary
THE Forum of South-West State Chairmen of Accord Party has commended the judiciary for restoring Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim’s presidential candidacy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The forum also congratulated members and leaders of the party nationwide on the Federal High Court judgement, describing it as a victory for democracy and justice.
The forum’s Secretary, Mr Dele Oladeji, who is also the Lagos State Chairman of Accord, made the position known in a statement on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Mohammed Umar, on Monday affirmed Olawepo-Hashim as Accord’s presidential candidate for the 2027 poll.
In suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1268/2026, Justice Umar ordered the party to recognise Olawepo-Hashim as its sole presidential candidate and forward his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for upload on its portal.
The court held that Olawepo-Hashim emerged as sole candidate at the party’s presidential primary held on May 30, 2026, after purchasing the nomination and expression of interest forms for N50 million.
Justice Umar dismissed preliminary objections filed against the suit and rejected a purported letter notifying INEC of cancellation of the primary, which INEC said made it not to monitor the exercise.
The judge held that the party was wrong to have failed to forward the plaintiff’s name to INEC after collecting N50 million and conducting a primary that produced him as candidate.
Reacting, Oladeji hailed the verdict, saying the judiciary had lived up to expectations in sustaining public confidence in the courts as the last hope of the common man.
The forum congratulated Accord members nationwide on what it described as a judicial victory, while commending members for maintaining peace and allowing the judicial process to run its course.
“The forum reiterates that the court judgment is a victory for democracy and justice, which will further strengthen Nigerians’ faith in the judiciary,” Oladeji said.
Oladeji said the development would enable the party to concentrate on taking its message and policy proposals to voters across the country.
“The party is going to propagate the message and governance intervention focus of Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim to the grassroots across Nigeria.
“We also assure Nigerians that Accord will form the next Federal Government with members of the coalition of opposition parties,” Oladeji said.
He urged party members to remain committed to peace and democratic principles, saying the judgement had reinforced the importance of the judiciary in resolving political disputes through constitutional and legal processes.
Oladeji further called on Accord members and supporters to use the judicial victory as an opportunity to strengthen the party at the grassroots and mobilise Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections. (NAN)
A.I
Oct. 5, 2026
Tags: Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim Mr Dele Oladeji