By Adamu Yusuf
Former presidential candidate and chieftain of the Accord Party, Gbenga Hashim, has expressed confidence that the party’s presidential primary will hold as scheduled despite the internal crisis currently rocking the party.
In a strongly worded statement issued ahead of the Accord Party presidential primary slated for May 30, 2026, Olawepo-Hashim alleged that certain influential political actors were working behind the scenes to weaken opposition parties and prevent the emergence of credible challengers to the ruling establishment.
He also accused a prominent chieftain within the party of allegedly orchestrating moves aimed at destabilising the Accord Party and frustrating its chances of presenting a presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“This coordinated plot by top officials will fail, just as previous agendas against democratic opposition have failed,” he stated.
The former presidential candidate further accused the political establishment of systematically undermining opposition parties through what he described as manipulative political and legal strategies.
According to him, the alleged tactics included efforts to destabilise the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as well as the enactment and selective application of provisions of the Electoral Act.
“They weakened the opposition, wrote the rules to favour themselves, and still failed to comply with those same rules before aspects of the law were challenged in court,” he alleged.
Despite the crisis within the party, Gbenga-Hashim maintained that preparations for the Accord Party presidential primary had been concluded.
“The presidential primary of the Accord Party is scheduled for Saturday, May 30. We are fully prepared to participate, and by the Grace of God, it will hold successfully,” he said.
He also reaffirmed his commitment to democratic principles, insisting that pro-democracy forces across the country would resist any attempt to undermine political plurality and democratic values.
“We shall not be discouraged. We shall not be intimidated. We fought for democracy, and by the Grace of God, we will continue to defend it,” Olawepo-Hashim declared.
The statement comes amid growing political activities and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties facing increasing internal and external pressures.
