Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim: No One Can Exclude Me From 2027 Presidential Race

Chukwuemeka Eze in Abuja – Presidential hopeful Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has boldly declared that he will not be silenced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) barring him from the 2027 presidential race. Hashim, candidate of the Accord Party, expressed his stance following his exclusion from INEC's final list of presidential candidates.

He emphasized that his candidacy remains intact and that the courts will ensure justice is served. Hashim firmly believes that the Nigerian constitution denies INEC the power to unilaterally decide who a political party's candidate should be. He argues that courts exist to safeguard citizens' rights and prevent administrative decisions from becoming tools for suppressing political rights.

Hashim's legal action against INEC's decision has already been filed in the Federal High Court in Abuja, where he seeks an order compelling the Accord Party to recognize him as their presidential candidate and to transmit his name to INEC. He maintains that he won the presidential primary conducted on May 30, 2026, and that his exclusion cannot be justified by an administrative listing.

Hashim also denounced those who seek to divide the nation rather than focusing on substantive national issues. He firmly states that he is prepared to fight for the ideas, competence, and national interest of Nigerians, rather than engaging in the politics of division, ethnicity, religion, and sentiment. Hashim views his legal battle as a test of the integrity of political party primaries, internal democracy, and Nigerians' constitutional right to freely choose their presidential candidate. He urges Nigerians to remain calm and confident that the court will uphold the rule of law.