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The Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement has accused “external political interests” of meddling in the Accord Party’s presidential nomination process, alleging a coordinated plot to prevent the party from fielding a candidate in the 2027 general elections.
In a statement released by National Coordinator Abdulrazaq Hamzat on Wednesday, the group insisted that Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim remains Accord’s duly elected presidential candidate. He rejected the recent counterarguments advanced by sectors of the party leadership as “unfounded and contrary to the documented facts and the democratic procedures already concluded”.
—“He followed due process”—
According to the movement, Hashim’s emergence followed a formal invitation from Accord’s national leadership.
He joined the party in March 2026 after consultations on strengthening Nigeria’s multiparty democracy, mobilized support nationwide, funded the party’s development, and participated fully in activities leading up to the presidential primaries.
The group said the party leadership repeatedly assured Hashim that Accord will present a presidential candidate in line with electoral law and internal guidelines. The dispute, he argues, is not about internal procedure but about external pressure.
–Alleged connection with broader political alignments–
The statement refers to tensions related to political statements outside the Agreement, including comments attributed to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke expressing support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the APC.
The movement argues that such alignments created leverage for external actors to influence Accord’s decision-making process ahead of the primaries.
“External political interests attempted to influence the party’s decision-making process ahead of the presidential primaries,” the group said, adding that the pressure was aimed at ensuring Accord does not field a candidate in 2027.
–“Not just an Agreement” – model between the parties–
Hashim’s camp framed the crisis as part of a larger scheme. He cited factional disputes in the ADC over multiple presidential pretenders, the PDP’s rival factions over its candidate and the Labor Party’s parallel claims.
“Virtually all political parties in Nigeria where strong candidates have emerged have at least two parallel candidates, otherwise the emergence of any serious candidate is sabotaged by agents of the incumbent government,” the statement read, describing it as “consistent with a plan to ensure that no viable candidate competes with the incumbent.”
–What the field asks–
The movement urged Accord members and the public to “remain calm”. He said Hashim remains committed to democratic principles and national unity and continues to focus on offering “credible leadership alternatives before 2027.”
–The stakes–
If the Accord fails to resolve the dispute and present a viable candidate to INEC, it would exit the presidential ballot for the second consecutive cycle. This result would strengthen the Hashim camp’s claim that smaller parties face structural pressures when producing candidates with national reach.
For now, two narratives are competing within Accord: Hashim’s camp’s claim to a completed and documented primary, and the opposing faction’s dispute over his appearance. INEC’s recognition of the candidate and the courts will likely decide which version is valid.
