The national leadership of Accord Party has disowned Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, insisting that the party has no candidate for the race and that no valid presidential primary was conducted.

The party also maintained that Olawepo-Hashim was not nominated through its approved presidential nomination process, describing reports of his emergence as false and misleading.

In a statement signed by the National Chairman, Barrister Maxwell Mgbuden, the party said what was being described as a primary was merely a private political gathering organised by supporters of the aspirant.

“The purported presidential primary where he emerged as the ‘presidential candidate of Accord’ as widely reported in the national media was not conducted by our great party and has no effect whatsoever,” Mgbuden said.

“It was a fanfare by his supporters and should not be misconstrued as the party’s presidential primary. It was not.”

The party explained that its presidential nomination timetable, which had been submitted to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), did not produce any valid presidential aspirant.

It said although several aspirants purchased forms for governorship, National Assembly and state assembly positions, no candidate completed the required process for the presidential ticket within the stipulated timeframe.

Accord disclosed that Olawepo-Hashim only indicated interest in the presidential race through a letter dated May 26, 2026, after the deadline for submission, screening and purchase of forms had expired.

In a response reportedly issued to him on May 31, the party said his expression of interest could not be processed because it was submitted outside the approved timeline.

“The party acknowledges receipt of your letter dated 26th May 2026 expressing your interest in contesting for the office of President… however, it was received after the expiration of the approved timeline,” the statement said. (Vanguard)