2027: Accord Party Members Back Hashim For Presidency, Reject Alleged Substitution Plot

Members of the Accord Party and the Hashim Progressives Movement (HPM) across Nigeria’s North-West geopolitical zone have declared their support for the party’s presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo Hashim, ahead of the 2027 general election, while rejecting what they described as attempts to undermine his emergence.

The position was announced at a press conference in Kaduna attended by party members and supporters from the seven states of the North-West.

Speaking on behalf of the group, the Zonal Women Leader of HPM, Aisha Ya’u Abdullahi, alleged that some individuals within and outside the party were plotting to overturn the outcome of the Accord Party presidential primary.

According to her, Hashim emerged as the party’s candidate through a transparent process conducted in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act and the Accord Party constitution.

“It has come to our attention that some unscrupulous elements, both within and outside the party, are engaged in a desperate plot to sell out the mandate freely given by party members,” Abdullahi said.

She maintained that Hashim duly purchased the party’s expression of interest and nomination forms, participated in the primary election and secured victory through a process she described as free, fair and transparent.

Abdullahi warned that party members across the North-West would resist any move aimed at altering the outcome of the primary election through what she termed political manipulation.

“Let it be stated without equivocation that Gbenga Olawepo Hashim is the only legal, legitimate and solid presidential candidate of the Accord Party. Any attempt at substitution or manipulation will be rejected outright by the party base,” she stated.

She further argued that delegates and party members from the region’s 186 local government areas participated in the process that produced Hashim and insisted that the mandate given to him could not be arbitrarily changed.

According to her, party faithful remain committed to defending the outcome of the primary and ensuring that due process is followed.

The group subsequently called on the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Accord Party, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other relevant stakeholders to uphold the rule of law and respect the outcome of the party’s presidential primary.

They urged all institutions involved in the electoral process to ensure transparency and prevent any action capable of creating internal disputes within the party ahead of the 2027 elections.

The endorsement by the North-West members comes amid growing political activities and realignments among parties preparing for the next general election.