JUST IN: Court orders INEC to upload Olawepo-Hashim as Accord’s 2027 presidential candidate – The Witness Nigeria

A Federal High Court in Abuja has ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to upload the name of Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as the presidential candidate of the Accord Party for the 2027 general election.

Justice Mohammed Umar issued the order on Monday after declaring that Olawepo-Hashim was validly nominated by the party as its presidential candidate.

Olawepo-Hashim had approached the court seeking an order compelling the Accord Party to recognise him as its candidate for the 2027 presidential election.

He also asked the court to direct the party to forward his name to INEC as its standard-bearer in the election.

In his judgment, Justice Umar upheld the plaintiff’s case, ruling that the primary election through which Olawepo-Hashim emerged was lawfully conducted.

The judge further held that the purported cancellation of the primary election could not stand, noting that the decision was not communicated to the plaintiff.

The court consequently declared Olawepo-Hashim the lawful presidential candidate of the Accord Party and ordered INEC to immediately upload his name as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.

Details later…