Politics

2027: Olawepo-Hashim sues Accord Party, INEC over disputed presidential ticket

Published

1 day ago

July 9, 2026

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The Federal High Court, Abuja, has fixed July 14, 2026, for the substantive hearing of a suit filed by an Accord Party chieftain, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, seeking an order compelling the party to recognise him as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general election and forward his name to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

Hashim, who named Accord Party and INEC as first and second defendants in an Originating Summons, is asking the court to determine whether the party’s failure to upload his name to INEC’s nomination portal — despite emerging as sole winner of the party’s presidential primary on May 30, 2026 — violates the Electoral Act 2026, the Constitution, and INEC’s guidelines for political parties.

He is seeking a declaration that the party’s refusal to forward his name breaches Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026 and Clauses 28(1) and (2) of the electoral guidelines on candidate nomination, and wants the court to order Accord Party to upload and submit his name to INEC.

In the alternative, he 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 submission of his name.

In an affidavit supporting the suit, Hashim described himself as a registered and financial member of Accord Party, and stated that he sponsored the party’s electronic membership drive with a payment of ₦7 million.

He said he also paid the prescribed ₦50 million nomination fee to contest the presidential primary, emerging as the sole aspirant and winner of the exercise, which he said was monitored by INEC officials in line with the Electoral Act.

He alleged that despite his victory, the party failed to submit his name to INEC, and that it had not issued aspirants with guidelines for the primary as required by INEC regulations, though he proceeded on the strength of assurances he said were given by the party’s national leadership.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Henry Akunebu, SAN, argued in the written address that political parties are legally bound to comply with the Electoral Act, their constitutions and INEC’s guidelines in nominating candidates, and that a party which conducts a valid primary is statutorily obligated to submit the winner’s name to INEC.

He urged the court to uphold internal party democracy by granting all the reliefs sought.

INEC granted time to respond

Earlier in proceedings, Justice Mohammed Umar granted a motion by INEC’s counsel, H.S. Danjuma, for an extension of time to file its memorandum of appearance, deeming it properly filed and served.

Danjuma told the court his chambers were briefed by the commission on July 6 and sought a short adjournment to file a counter-affidavit and written address.

While counsel to Accord Party, Egasi Olusesi, did not oppose the adjournment, Akunebu urged the court to foreclose INEC from the suit and proceed directly to the substantive case, arguing that the commission had breached the Practice Directions for pre-election matters by failing to respond within the stipulated 10-day window, citing Rule 6(4) and (5).

In a short ruling, Justice Umar held that the matter was listed for report of service and hearing, and adjourned the case to July 14 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.

Politics

BREAKING: 2027: APC presents Shettima as Tinubu’s running mate

Published

1 hour ago

July 10, 2026

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The National Working Committee, NWC, of the All Progressives Congress, APC, has formally unveiled Vice President Kashim Shettima as President Bola Tinubu’s running mate for the 2027 presidential election.

The National chairman of the APC, Nentawe Yilwatda, disclosed the this via X when he stated that “the party formally received the presidential nomination forms of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, ahead of the 2027 general election” on Friday .

Yilwatda described the development as a defining moment that reaffirmed the party’s collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen the progress already being recorded across the country.

The development comes amid months of speculation that President Tinubu might replace Shettima with a northern Christian as his vice-presidential candidate ahead of the election.

“Today marked another significant milestone in the journey of our great party as I formally received the presidential nomination forms of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and His Excellency, Vice President Kashim Shettima, GCON, ahead of the 2027 general election. It was a defining moment that reaffirmed our collective resolve to sustain the Renewed Hope Agenda and deepen the progress already being recorded across the country.

“The nomination forms were presented on behalf of President Tinubu by his Special Adviser on Political and Other Matters, Hon. Ibrahim Masari, during a well-attended ceremony at the Continental Hotel, Abuja. The presentation underscored the confidence of our party in the leadership of President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima as they prepare to seek a renewed mandate from the Nigerian people.

“The event brought together an impressive array of leaders of our great party, including the Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, alongside Governors Mai Mala Buni, Nasir Idris, Abba Kabir Yusuf, Uba Sani, Babagana Umara Zulum, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, as well as other governors, party executives and critical stakeholders from across the federation.

“The atmosphere was one of unity, confidence and shared purpose. As we move towards 2027, the All Progressives Congress remains focused on strengthening its grassroots support, consolidating the achievements of the Renewed Hope Agenda and working together to build a more prosperous, secure and inclusive Nigeria for all,” the APC chairman wrote.

Politics

2027: I’ll quit presidential race if Kenneth Okonkwo’s evidence proves me unfit – Peter Obi

Published

2 hours ago

July 10, 2026

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Presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Peter Obi, has vowed to withdraw from the 2027 election if any evidence presented by Kenneth Okonkwo proves him unfit to serve.

Obi had filed a defamation suit against Okonkwo, who was recently appointed as spokesman of African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar.

The ex-Anambra governor dated Okonkwo to publicly release every alleged damaging piece of information he claims to have against him.

Obi made the vow during an interview with media personality, Chude Jideonwo, stating that his lawsuit against Okonkwo was not intended to silence him but to compel him to substantiate his repeated claims.

The NDC presidential hopeful noted that Nigerians deserve to know the true character and background of anyone seeking public office before they are elected.

“I want Kenneth Okonkwo to bring out all the ‘hidden things’ that he has on me. If I am not qualified after his revelation, then I’ll stop running for the election,” Obi said.

According to him, Okonkwo had repeatedly claimed to possess sensitive information about him from the period he served as his spokesperson.

The Anambra-born politician, while responding to criticism that the lawsuit was an attempt to stifle free speech, said its sole purpose was to compel Okonkwo to present whatever evidence he claimed to have.

“Kenneth Okonkwo said, as my spokesperson, he had so many hidden things that if he’s provoked or sued, he will bring them out. And that’s the only thing I’m suing him for—to bring those things out,” he added.

Politics

Bauchi APC governorship candidate sacks campaign coordinators in 20 LGAs

Published

7 hours ago

July 10, 2026

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The All Progressives Congress’ governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Mohammed Abubakar (SAN), has dissolved his campaign structure at the local government level, affecting coordinators across the state’s 20 LGAs.
The development was announced in a statement released on Thursday by the M.A. Strategy Committee and signed by its Head of Media, Umar Ibrahim Sade, a former Commissioner for Information.

Although the committee did not state the reason for the decision, it directed all affected coordinators to immediately stop operating in their respective local government areas pending further directives.

The statement also instructed them to hand over all campaign materials, documents and other items in their custody to the committee’s secretariat on or before July 16, 2026.

The committee commended the coordinators, ward mobilisers and volunteers for their contributions to the political movement, describing their efforts across the 323 wards of Bauchi State as invaluable.

It assured supporters that a fresh phase of political engagements would be unveiled soon, saying details of the next line of action would be communicated at the appropriate time.

The committee further appealed to party members and supporters to remain calm, united and committed to Abubakar’s governorship aspiration.

DAILY POST recalls that the State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is facing internal crisis after its 2027 primaries, with aggrieved members alleging that candidates were imposed rather than elected through direct primaries.

Some political groups have also accused the Coordinating Minister for Health, Prof. Muhammad Ali Pate and former Governor Isa Yuguda of backing the emergence of former Governor, Mohammed Abubakar as the party’s governorship candidate.

Former Governor, Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar lost his re-election bid in 2019 to the incumbent Governor, Bala Mohammed.

Bauchi APC governorship candidate sacks campaign coordinators in 20 LGAs

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