The national leadership of the Accord Party has officially disowned Dr. Gbenga Hashim as its presidential candidate for the 2027 General Election. The party clarified that it has neither approved a presidential aspirant within its scheduled timeline nor conducted any presidential primary.
In a statement issued by the party's National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbuden, the Accord Party described the purported primary where Hashim allegedly emerged as its candidate as a mere fanfare organized by his supporters, which should not be mistaken for an official party primary. The party emphasized that this event has no legal or political standing.
According to the party, while several aspirants obtained nomination forms for various positions such as governorship, state assembly, House of Representatives, and Senate, none fulfilled the requirements for the presidential nomination process before the stipulated deadline. Hashim reportedly wrote to the party on May 26, 2026, expressing his interest in contesting the presidency, which was one day after the scheduled screening date for presidential aspirants.
The party stated that Hashim's application was received after the approved timeline had expired and therefore could not be processed as a valid nomination under its electoral guidelines. In a formal response dated May 31, 2026, addressing Hashim's letter and petition, the party reiterated that no aspirant purchased or submitted nomination forms or appeared for screening before the deadline. Consequently, the presidential primary was canceled, and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was duly notified.
