2027: Olawepo-Hashim declares intention to contest under Accord Party

Former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the Accord Party.

This was as he insisted that no individual or political bloc can determine who succeeds President Bola Tinubu come 2027.

Olawepo-Hashim made the declaration while fielding questions from journalists over his move to the Accord Party and comments allegedly made by a governor suggesting that the party would not field a presidential candidate in 2027.

“That is an overreach for him. The presidency of Nigeria is too big for anyone to allocate. It is in the hands of God and the Nigerian people,” he said.

The former presidential candidate disclosed that his political structure had already commenced nationwide mobilisation within the party.

He further claimed that more than one million supporters had so far been brought into the Accord Party ahead of the 2027 elections.

“We have quietly mobilised about one million of our supporters into the Accord Party, and we are still doing so,” he stated.

According to him, increasing attempts by politicians to speak authoritatively about the 2027 contest reflected growing anxiety within the political class and fears over political survival in an increasingly tense environment.

“I know the governor is scared stiff that if he does not go about dancing and declaring support for the incumbent president in a rival party, they would rig him out.

“But that does not give him the power to allocate the presidency,” Olawepo-Hashim said.

He warned against attempts to predetermine the outcome of future elections, maintaining that political power ultimately rests with Nigerian voters.

“When power changes hands, those who think they can control it will be shocked and humbled,” he added.

Olawepo-Hashim said his presidential ambition would be driven by what he described as a credible alternative anchored on competence, national unity, economic revival and inclusive development.

His declaration comes amid growing political alignments, quiet negotiations and early calculations ahead of the next general election, as political parties, governors and presidential hopefuls intensify consultations and strategic positioning.