Olawepo Hashim Raises Alarm Over Court Order Against Opposition Parties

(Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim. Photo by Nation News)

Former presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has described a Federal High Court ruling ordering the deregistration of five political parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Accord Party, as a plot to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Olawepo-Hashim made the remarks in a statement on Tuesday, describing the order as a threat to Nigeria’s multi-party democracy.

He said the judgment reinforced concerns he had raised as far back as 2024 about what he described as a coordinated effort to weaken opposition politics ahead of the next election cycle, alleging that recent developments in the political space point to attempts to reduce political competition by weakening opposition parties and their structures.

The Kwara-born politician reiterated his claim that opposition governors have come under pressure to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), while opposition parties more broadly have been weakened by internal disputes and leadership crises.

He further accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of implementing an electoral timetable he described as inconsistent with the Electoral Act 2026, alleging that the commission has failed to make necessary adjustments despite ongoing legal challenges.

He described the court judgment as a major setback for opposition politics and democratic participation, stressing that Nigeria’s democracy is built on multi-party engagement and urging stakeholders to protect democratic institutions and safeguard electoral integrity.

He called on political parties, civil society organisations, pro-democracy groups, and citizens to remain actively engaged in defending democratic processes and strengthening the country’s electoral system.