Light Adoko, a public affairs analyst and Accord Party leader, has called on the party’s national leadership to formally present Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim to the Independent National Electoral Commission as their official 2027 presidential candidate.
This request follows a period of internal disagreement regarding the party’s leadership and the legitimacy of Olawepo-Hashim’s candidacy. While national chairman Maxwell Mgbuden has publicly denied that Olawepo-Hashim is the party’s chosen representative, Olawepo-Hashim has refuted these claims, leaving the party’s 2027 prospects in a state of uncertainty.
Adoko warned that the current internal resistance may be fueled by the All Progressives Congress. He suggested that external actors are manipulating the party structure to ensure Accord Party fails to field a presidential contender in the upcoming cycle.
Asserting that political parties serve as a public trust rather than private property, Adoko described the move to block Olawepo-Hashim as a threat to internal democracy. He urged the party’s decision-makers to prioritize the will of the members by validating Olawepo-Hashim’s status with electoral authorities immediately.
