₦airaland Forum

The Federal High Court in Abuja witnessed an overwhelming turnout on Thursday as hundreds of supporters of Accord Party presidential hopeful, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, gathered in solidarity while he formally commenced legal proceedings to reclaim what he describes as his lawfully earned presidential mandate.

The large crowd, made up of party members, youth groups, women, and political associates from different parts of the country, filled the court premises and surrounding areas, making movement around the court complex slow and difficult as supporters waited to demonstrate their backing for the presidential hopeful.

Hashim has approached the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order compelling the Accord Party to recognise him as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election and transmit his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In an Originating Summons filed before the court, Hashim named the Accord Party and INEC as the first and second defendants respectively.

The plaintiff is asking the court to determine whether the party's failure to upload his name to INEC's nomination portal, despite his emergence as the sole winner of the Accord Party presidential primary held on May 30, 2026, violates the Electoral Act, 2026, the Constitution, and INEC's Regulations and Guidelines for Political Parties.

Hashim is seeking a declaration that the party's refusal to forward his name to INEC amounts to a breach of Section 86 of the Electoral Act, 2026, as well as Clauses 28(1) and 28(2) of the electoral guidelines governing the nomination of candidates.

He is also asking the court to order the Accord Party to upload and submit his name to INEC as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.

Alternatively, the plaintiff is asking the court to direct the party to conduct a fresh presidential primary in which he would participate should the court decline to order the submission of his name.

In an affidavit supporting the suit, Hashim stated that he is a registered and financial member of the Accord Party and claimed to have sponsored the party's electronic membership drive with a payment of ₦7 million.
He further averred that he paid ₦50 million as the prescribed nomination fee to contest the party's presidential primary and emerged as the sole aspirant and winner of the exercise conducted on May 30, 2026. According to him, the primary election was monitored by officials of INEC in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act.

Hashim alleged that despite his victory, the Accord Party failed to submit his name to the electoral commission as its presidential candidate.

He also claimed that the party did not provide aspirants with guidelines for the conduct of the presidential primary, contrary to INEC's regulations, but said he proceeded with the process based on assurances allegedly given by the party's national leadership.

In the written address filed in support of the suit, counsel to the plaintiff, Chief Henry Akunebu (SAN), argued that political parties are legally bound to comply with the Electoral Act, their constitutions, and INEC's guidelines in the nomination of candidates.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria contended that once a political party conducts a valid primary election and produces a winner, it has a statutory obligation to submit the name of that winner to INEC and cannot act arbitrarily to deny the successful aspirant the benefits of the democratic process.
The plaintiff urged the court to uphold the principles of internal party democracy by granting all the reliefs sought in the suit.

At Thursday's proceedings before Court 5 on the fourth floor of the Federal High Court, counsel representing INEC applied for an adjournment to enable the commission respond to the suit.

Counsel for the Accord Party aligned with the application and also supported the request for an adjournment. However, counsel to Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, Chief Henry Akunebu (SAN), opposed the application and urged the court to proceed with the hearing.

After hearing all parties, the presiding judge granted the application for adjournment and fixed Tuesday, July 14, 2026, for hearing of the substantive suit.

The case is expected to test the application of the Electoral Act, 2026, and reinforce judicial scrutiny of internal party democracy ahead of the 2027 general election.

Former House of Representatives aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Mopelola Abdulmalik Bashir, has appealed to the leadership of the party in Kwara State to honour the unwavering loyalty, sacrifices and contributions of women by conceding the offices of Deputy Governor and Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly to qualified female party members.

Speaking in Ilorin following the conclusion of the APC National Assembly primaries, Mopelola noted that while no female aspirant secured the party's ticket for the National Assembly, the APC still has a historic opportunity to further consolidate its reputation as the most gender inclusive political party in Nigeria.

She commended Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq for what she described as an unprecedented commitment to women's participation in governance, noting that his administration has transformed Kwara State into a national model for inclusive leadership.

According to her, the Governor's deliberate policy of appointing and empowering competent women at strategic levels of government has become one of the defining legacies of the Otoge administration and should be sustained beyond his tenure.

"His Excellency, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, has consistently demonstrated uncommon confidence in the capacity of women to lead and deliver. That bold leadership has not only inspired women across Kwara State but has also earned our party national recognition as a progressive platform that genuinely believes in equal opportunity."

Mopelola said the outcome of the National Assembly primaries should not be viewed as a setback for women but as an opportunity for the party to once again demonstrate visionary leadership.

"I humbly appeal to our respected party leaders to honour the loyalty and immense contributions of women by considering competent female party members for the offices of Deputy Governor and Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly.

Such a decision would reinforce the APC's progressive identity and preserve one of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's most enduring legacies."

She noted that women have remained among the APC's most dependable pillars, contributing immensely to electoral victories through grassroots mobilisation, community engagement and unwavering support for the party's programmes and candidates.

According to her, women across the sixteen local government areas have stood firmly with the APC from the days of the Otoge movement to the present administration, often serving as the backbone of campaign structures and voter mobilisation efforts.

"Our women have remained loyal through every political season. They have defended the ideals of our great party, mobilised support at the grassroots and contributed significantly to every electoral success recorded by the APC. They deserve to be further entrusted with strategic leadership responsibilities."

Mopelola emphasized that her appeal was not based on sentiment but on the APC's established tradition of rewarding dedication, competence and loyalty.

She expressed confidence that the party leadership, under the guidance of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, would continue to make decisions that promote unity, fairness and inclusive governance.

She also reaffirmed the total commitment of women within the APC to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq and the party's governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi, assuring that women would continue to mobilise massively to ensure another resounding electoral victory for the party.

She concluded by expressing optimism that the APC would once again make history by producing a female Deputy Governor and a female Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, describing such a decision as a fitting recognition of women's loyalty and a worthy continuation of Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq's transformative legacy of inclusive governance in Kwara State.

The Accord Alliance Movement (AAM), also known as the Movement for New Nigeria, on Wednesday formally reaffirmed its support for Dr. Gbenga Joel Olawepo-Hashim as the Accord Party's presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, while unveiling a new political movement aimed at mobilising support across the country.

Speaking at the inauguration of the movement in Abuja, the Director-General of the AAM, Hon. Light Adah Adoko, described the event as a defining moment in the group's political journey, saying the coalition was established to promote what it called a "New Nigeria" vision.

Adoko alleged that some forces within the Accord Party were attempting to undermine the party's internal democratic process by frustrating Hashim's emergence as the party's presidential candidate.

According to him, the movement believes Hashim remains the party's sole presidential aspirant and deserves the ticket, arguing that any attempt to deny him the nomination would amount to an erosion of internal democracy.

"The Accord Alliance Movement was born out of necessity to defend democratic values and the aspirations of members who believe in a transparent and credible political process," he said.

Adoko also criticised the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, expressing a vote of no confidence over what he described as its inability to adequately address insecurity, economic hardship and the rising cost of living.

He said the movement was convinced that Nigeria required a new direction anchored on accountable leadership, national unity and inclusive development.

The AAM Director-General described Hashim as a longstanding advocate of democracy whose political ideals, he said, resonate with many Nigerians seeking change.

He urged members of the movement and supporters of the Accord Party to remain united and committed to building a broad-based political platform ahead of the 2027 general election.

Adoko said the newly inaugurated movement would embark on nationwide mobilisation to strengthen grassroots participation and promote the party's candidates during the elections.

He expressed confidence that the Accord Alliance Movement would evolve into a formidable political force dedicated to restoring hope, peace, progress and prosperity in Nigeria.

The event concluded with a renewed pledge by members of the movement to support the Accord Party and work towards what they described as the emergence of a "New Nigeria" under the leadership of Dr. Gbenga Joel Olawepo-Hashim.

Bizibi:
was imported fuel good for the cars Who told you it was a lie??

Teymanhenry:
Dangote this Dangote that. Look at how Donald Trump have instructed all oil marketers and business men to immediately drop and sell gasoline , diesel and or fuel at affordable prices. He said it is legally incorrect to extort from the American citizens as it is a punishable offence by the law.

But here in Nigeria, the president thinks it' is not his responsibility to force a drop in price of oil.

gigabyte13:
Bigger thief scattering the hungry smaller thieves.
Dangote is not a Masses oriented business Man. He is only interested in Monopoly kind of business.
That's what he is used to all his life as a business Man.
I like and love him as a person
But
His Monopolistic approach to businesses is what l detest most.

Haydens:
Dangote represents all those things he dey scatter with hammer. Only him wants to colonize all the biz in Nigeria.

Basicend:
The only thing I have observed is that if Nigeria does not build alternative refineries quickly and concurrently open windows of importation to willing marketers, Dangote will brutally milk innocent and hardworking Nigerians dry.

Ask yourself, how did he become richest black man in the world? Even Jay Z in the US with all his dollar biz networks does not have up to $3 billion.

themanderon:
Are you trying to portray dangote as a sort of savior? Think again. They are all the different sides of the same coin. You think dangote cares about you?
Let him finish dealing with all the obstacles standing in his way and then you will know what he is really all about.

PlayerMeji:
Same system that oga Dangote benefited from...?

And you think he has the good will to dismantle it..?

An iconic artwork depicting Nigeria’s industrial journey and quest for energy independence has taken social media by storm, as #TheBuilderAndTheBarrier trends on online, especially X, generating massive engagement and debate among Nigerians.

The artwork, created by the Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro), presents a powerful symbolic interpretation of nation building, industrial transformation, and the struggle to overcome obstacles on the path to economic self reliance.

The piece, titled “The Builder and the Barrier,” portrays Africa’s leading industrialist, Aliko Dangote, as a builder confronting the barriers that stand between a nation’s potential and its actual development.

Sharing the artwork on X, PeacePro Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, simply announced,
“PeacePro presents: The Builder and the Barrier.”

The message immediately resonated with many Nigerians, triggering conversations around Nigeria’s energy history, industrialisation, and the future of national development.

For decades, Nigeria has remained one of the world’s major crude oil producers while depending heavily on imported refined petroleum products. The artwork captures this contradiction and raises a broader question about how resource rich nations transition from dependency to self sufficiency.

According to PeacePro, the artwork is not merely about one individual, but about a larger national story, the struggle between the vision to build sustainable systems and the barriers that delay progress.

PeacePro , which marked 10 years of operations without foreign funding and external support explained that the “Builder” represents innovation, courage, investment, and the determination to create national assets, while the “Barrier” represents the structural challenges, outdated systems, and dependencies that prevent nations from reaching their full potential.

The artwork has attracted reactions from different sections of society, with discussions focusing on energy security, local production, economic sovereignty, and the role of private sector innovation in national development.

PeacePro framed the conversation around a central question, “Is nation building a battle against individuals, systems, or history?”

PeacePro who honored Dangote as man of the decade with the artwork added that sustainable progress is achieved when citizens unite, not against one another, but against the barriers that limit collective prosperity.

The viral reception of “The Builder and the Barrier” has transformed the artwork from a creative expression into a national conversation about Nigeria’s future, energy independence, and the responsibility of societies to build lasting institutions.

Azazyel:
Jokers! Tinubu don win already with or without you losers

SixSeven:
No region can produce Nigeria's president alone. If all the Southerners vote Tinubu/Obi, they can't make him president, if all the Northerners vote Atiku, they can't make him president.

Codes151:
It’s just me saying he’s better than all your presidents And ministers combined

NativeGypsy:
Democracy thrives when citizens are free to support leaders and ideas they believe can advance the nation's interests. The growing support for Dr. Gbenga Olawepo Hashim across northern states reflects an active political engagement and a desire for solutions to Nigeria's pressing challenges.

Former members and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kano, Jigawa and Katsina states have declared support for the Accord party and its presidential hopeful, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The declarations were made at separate mobilisation meetings across the three states, where participants cited economic hardship, insecurity and dissatisfaction with governance as reasons for backing a different political platform.

The development comes as political groups begin positioning ahead of the next election cycle.

Among those who spoke at the meetings was Ambassador Aisha Ibrahim, Women Leader of the Hashim Progressive Movement, who said supporters of the Accord Party were preparing to mobilise for the 2027 election.

“We promised to deliver Tinubu in 2023 and we did. We are now promising to deliver Gbenga Hashim in 2027, and by the grace of God, we will deliver,” Ibrahim said.

Several of the speakers said they had previously worked for the APC but had become disillusioned with the country’s economic and security situation, prompting their decision to support Hashim’s presidential bid.

In Kano, former APC stakeholder, Mallam Goje Bashir, said he had decided to leave the APC and back Olawepo-Hashim.

“I was an APC member, but President Tinubu has failed Nigeria. I am now openly declaring support for Dr. Gbenga Hashim of the Accord Party,” Bashir said.

Bashir said he believed Hashim could attract support across Kano and other parts of northern Nigeria.

Also speaking, former APC chieftain, Hajia Rabi Fagge, predicted that more voters in the region would align with the Accord Party, ahead of the 2027 election.

In Jigawa, the state’s coordinator, Abdulrasheed Ali, said mobilisation efforts had been carried out across the state’s 27 local government areas, describing Hashim as a leader who reflected the values his supporters wanted to promote.

In Katsina, the Coordinator, Muhammad Abdullahi, linked the group’s support for Hashim to the economic difficulties facing many Nigerians.

Representatives of Olawepo-Hashim, led by Abdulrazaq Hamzat, and accompanied by the FCT Coordinator of the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement, Mallam Abubakar Kana, said the declarations reflected support from people drawn from different political backgrounds.

They said the movement would continue its mobilisation efforts across the country ahead of the 2027 elections and remained open to supporters from across the political spectrum.

According to the representatives, Hashim’s agenda focuses on economic recovery, security, job creation and social welfare.

7upnigeria:
Tinubu/Ooni of ife and the entire Yorubaland gave more support to Dangote than his hausa/fulani kinsmen.

Odunayaw:
Looks like Tinubu, Wike and Atiku

Codes151:
Dangote should go for presidency.

Stephen0mozzy:
Hehe... I'm personally terrible at drawing.
So I'm careful not to criticize others - many of us can't even draw a curved line 😅

However, dear OP, the drawing is symbolic abi? It was not intended to portray the likeness of Dangote facially - but to represent the "Dangote Empire".

So, let's say, it's poetry, not a painting.

Beautifulday:
Do foreigners fund development? Dangote borrowed heavily from foreign institutions.

ogaontop:
All these issues Dangote crushed with hammer com resemble Tinubu!
A coincidence or intent?

Mrexcell:
I don't see anything peaceful in that artwork that looks like a man holding a hammer and trying to hit some people.

The Foundation for Peace Professionals (PeacePro) has commissioned a special art design concept at Ilorin Art Festival 3.0 as part of activities marking its decade of indigenous operations and impact.

The commissioned artwork was executed on 20th June, 2026 through a live painting performance by renowned artist Olart, and dedicated to honouring Aliko Dangote for his contribution to industrial development, economic self reliance, and nation-building across Africa.

According to PeacePro Executive Director, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, the concept behind the artwork is rooted in the organization’s philosophy that peace is not sustained only by preventing conflicts, but by building the foundations that make peaceful societies possible.

He identified these foundations as productive capacity, employment, energy security, industrial growth, and economic confidence.

The artwork depicts Dangote with a digger, symbolizing determination, resilience, and the effort required to break through barriers on the path to African industrial transformation.

The painting portrays him confronting multiple obstacles while creating indigenous industrial opportunities and expanding Africa’s productive capacity.

PeacePro explained that the imagery represents the difficult process of building transformative infrastructure in an environment shaped by dependency, structural limitations, vested interests, and long standing economic challenges.

Hamzat noted that the work is not merely a celebration of business achievement, but a tribute to the broader idea of nation building through production, innovation, and self reliance.

“Factories are peace infrastructure. Industries are peace infrastructure. Jobs are peace infrastructure. When societies can produce, employ their citizens, and build confidence in the future, they strengthen the foundations of peace,” Hamzat stated.

PeacePro said the rise of large scale industrial projects, including refinery and manufacturing capacity, represents a significant part of Africa’s pursuit of economic sovereignty and sustainable development.

The live painting, which served as the opening live painting performance of the festival, captured the journey of vision, resilience, and ambition required to build institutions capable of transforming societies.

As PeacePro marks 10 years of 100% indigenous operations and recognizes Dangote as its Man of the Decade, the organization said the initiative reflects its belief that individuals and institutions that build the foundations of prosperity are also contributing to the foundations of peace.

gabbasin:
Accord party that it's gubernatorial candidates in Oyo and Osun have already endorsed PBAT as their preferred candidates. Who sabi Hashim

The Accord Party in Ekiti State has reaffirmed its support for the presidential ambition of Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim ahead of the 2027 general elections, declaring its readiness to mobilise massive grassroots support for his candidacy across the state.

The declaration was made during the party’s governorship rally in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, attended by party leaders, women groups, youth supporters, and grassroots members from across Ekiti State.

Speaking at the rally, the Ekiti State Chairman of the Accord Party, Philip Adeniji, said the gathering was a demonstration of the party’s unity, commitment, and preparedness for the coming elections.

Adeniji stated that party members remain firmly behind Olawepo-Hashim as the party’s presidential candidate, describing him as the leader capable of providing a new direction for Nigeria.

“We gathered here today to reaffirm Olawepo-Hashim as our presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, and we are throwing our full weight behind him.

“He remains our candidate, and nobody can change that. We will work for him, and we are confident that he will emerge victorious,” he said.

The party chairman further declared that Dr. Gbenga Hashim possesses the capacity to rescue Nigeria from what he described as the failures of the current administration.

“Hashim will rescue Nigeria from the misgovernance and hardship Nigerians are experiencing under the ruling party and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Adeniji stated.

Also speaking, the Southwest Coordinator of the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement, Alhaji Olaniru Abass, described the rally as evidence of the growing acceptance of Olawepo-Hashim’s political message across the region.

According to him, Hashim combines experience, vision, and national appeal required to lead Nigeria at a critical period.

“Our gathering here today is to reaffirm our support for Hashim as the candidate of the Accord Party. He is the leader many Nigerians are waiting for, and we are prepared to support his emergence,” he said.

The Ekiti State Women Leader of the party, Funmilayo Adeyeye, said women across the state remain committed to grassroots mobilisation for the candidate and urged the party’s national leadership to continue strengthening support for his presidential campaign.

Similarly, party leader Samuel Abiola said the emergence of Olawepo-Hashim reflects confidence in his leadership qualities and vision for a united, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria.

The state campaign coordinator, Sunday Dada, said the mandate given to Olawepo-Hashim by party members would not be compromised or surrendered to external interests.

Participants at the rally displayed banners and placards in support of the Accord Party presidential candidate, reaffirming their commitment to his 2027 campaign.

The Co-Chairman of the Movement for Democratic Renewal (MDR) and Presidential Candidate of the Accord Party, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, has described the Federal High Court order directing the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Accord Party, as evidence of what he called a systematic effort to weaken opposition politics and undermine democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reacting to the court ruling in a statement issued by his campaign office on Tuesday, Hashim said the development validates concerns he had repeatedly raised since 2024 regarding what he alleged was a coordinated strategy to make President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the only viable presidential contender in 2027.

According to him, recent developments in the nation's political landscape indicate a deliberate and multi-layered effort aimed at weakening opposition parties and restricting political competition.

Hashim recalled that he had consistently warned that opposition governors were being pressured to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that those who resisted faced political intimidation and blackmail.

"Those who refused are hunted and blackmailed," he stated.

He argued that after securing the defection of several opposition governors, attention shifted to weakening the structures of opposition political parties at the national level.

The presidential candidate of Accord also alleged that individuals sympathetic to the ruling party had been deployed to destabilize major opposition platforms through internal disputes and leadership crises.

According to him, the prolonged factional conflicts witnessed within some opposition parties over the past two years were not accidental but part of a broader strategy to weaken alternative political platforms before the next general election.

Hashim further criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing the electoral body of operating an election timetable that he described as inconsistent with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.

He claimed that despite a court judgment challenging aspects of the timetable, INEC had failed to make the necessary adjustments, thereby creating obstacles for opposition parties.

Referring specifically to the Federal High Court's order directing the deregistration of ADC, Accord Party and three other parties, Hashim described the ruling as the most significant step yet in what he alleged was a wider plan to shrink the democratic space.

"This is not only to destabilise the parties, but to ensure that the parties are not able to survive the illegal INEC processes to ensure only Tinubu can be a viable candidate," he said.

"With the latest development from the Federal High Court ordering deregistration of opposition political parties, it is now clear beyond any reasonable doubt that President Tinubu is determined to kill Nigeria's democracy," he stated.

Gbenga Hashim stated that, the founding fathers of our Republic chose Multi-Party democracy as a fundamental pillar of our democracy at independence and the 1999 constitution guarantees it.

"We must therefore not allow one man acting through surrogates and agents to demolish it, he said.

Hashim further noted that, the so called deregistration of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) along with other parties by Justice Peter Lifu may yet be the biggest manifestation of Tinubu’s hell bent bid to undermine the opposition and entrench a de facto one party state.

"The judgment is the height of judicial rascality"

The Court of Appeal presided over by Justices Mohammed A. Danjuma, Adebunkunola A. Banjoko, Oyejoju O. Oyewumi had in Appeal CA/ABJ/CV/569/2026 and suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/2637/2025 ordered Justice Peter Lifu to stay further action on the matter until the hearing and determination of the Appeal before it.

The hearing for the appeal was scheduled for the 27th of October 2026. That order was dated 22nd of May 2026.

Nigerians and the international community can see the level of desperation by the APC Government to either have its way in the 2027 elections or destroy our democracy that was earned through huge sacrifice, sweat, blood and lives of our heroes and martyrs, Hashim said.

The MDR Co-Chairman therefore called on political parties, civil society organisations, pro-democracy groups and citizens across the country to unite in defence of democratic institutions and electoral integrity.

To his supporters, he urged "Stand firm with the Movement for Democratic Renewal. Stand firm with the Party, Accord. Stand in Defence of Democracy."