A public affairs analyst and chieftain of Accord Party, Light Adoko has urged the party’s national working committee to submit the name of Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, as the presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adoko made this demand in a statement on Wednesday.

This comes amid the ongoing controversy surrounding Olawepo-Hashim’s presidential candidacy at Accord Party.

According to the party, in a statement by one of its national chairmen, Maxwell Mgbuden had rejected Olawepo-Hashim’s alleged emergence as the party’s presidential candidate. However, Olawepo-Hashim had dismissed the party’s position.

The controversy had led to the party leaving itself without a presidential candidate for the coming 2027 elections.

Reacting to the development, Adoko said the party leadership should waste no further time sending the name of Hashim to INEC as its presidential candidate.

He alleged that the actions are the All Progressives Congress machinery to weaponize the party leadership so it will not field a presidential candidate in 2027.

“A fearful establishment is trying to weaponize party machinery to deny our sole presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, the presidential ticket he deserves and rightfully should be his.”

“A political party is not a private business. It is not a family property managed by a privileged few. A political party is a public trust. It is driven by the hopes, hard work, and financial contributions of millions of ordinary citizens, many who are members of this movement.

“We must look back to understand how dangerous the action of these conspirators within our party is undermining internal party democracy and the very tenets of our hard-won democracy.

“It is a direct rebellion against the New Nigeria divine covenant agenda of God for this country.

“The action of these anti-democratic forces is not only an attempt to block one man, but it is a hijack of the votes. It is good our party, Accord, put forward Olawepo-Hashim’s name to INEC as its presidential candidate,” he stated.

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has said the choice of the All Progressives Congress, APC, deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election rests with the party’s governorship candidate, Mustapha Gubio.

Zulum made the remark during a visit to the palace of the Emir of Biu in Biu Local Government Area, where he disclosed that the APC governorship candidate is expected to announce his running mate next week.

The governor said about 27 aspirants had indicated interest in becoming the party’s deputy governorship candidate.

He, however, said while he and other party stakeholders would offer advice during the process, the final decision would be made by the governorship candidate.

According to Zulum, the selection should be guided by competence, fairness and the overall interest of Borno State rather than sectional considerations.

He also urged residents to pray for a peaceful selection process that would produce a suitable running mate for the party’s governorship candidate.

Zulum recalled that when he selected his own running mate, he received advice from then-Governor Kashim Shettima but made the final decision himself, stressing that no candidate was imposed on him.

Former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said only courageous politicians who are committed to serving the people rather than pursuing personal interests have what it takes to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Tambuwal made the remark on Wednesday while receiving the immediate past Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area, Isa Salihu Kalenjeni, into the ADC after the former council boss resigned from office and left the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He urged politicians who believe they are acting in the interest of the people and not for personal gain to identify openly with the ADC despite any pressure.

“Anyone who believes that what he is doing is for the people and for the sake of God, not for personal gain, should have the courage to leave any political party and join the ADC,” Tambuwal said.

The former governor alleged that the APC was intimidating politicians planning to defect to the ADC while also attempting to create divisions within the opposition party.

According to him, the ruling party now sees the ADC as its biggest political challenge.

Tambuwal also criticised the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the country’s security situation, saying many Nigerians had become disappointed with the APC because of the continued insecurity.

He praised Kalenjeni for stepping down from his position and joining the ADC without placing any conditions.

He described the decision as a sacrifice and a sign of commitment to the party’s principles.