Accord Party leaders in Osun vow Olawepo-Hashim remains 2027 presidential candidate despite Adeleke governorship push

Hundreds of Accord Party supporters filled a rally in Osogbo on Wednesday to declare that Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim remains their presidential candidate for 2027 — and no one can trade that mandate away.

Leaders, women groups, youth supporters, and grassroots members gathered to publicly endorse Olawepo-Hashim and send a clear message to the party's national leadership: respect internal democracy.

“Our gathering here today is to reaffirm our support for Olawepo-Hashim as the party’s presidential candidate. He is the man Nigerians are waiting for, and we're ready to stand with him all the way,” said Daniel Adedayo, speaking on behalf of the party.

The rally comes amid controversy over the party's presidential nomination process. Supporters insist Olawepo-Hashim was validly elected by party members across the country and remains the widely accepted choice.

Adedayo dismissed any suggestion that supporting Governor Ademola Adeleke's re-election bid in the August 15 governorship election should weaken the party's presidential ambition. “Olawepo-Hashim remains our presidential candidate. Nobody can trade away a mandate freely given by party members. The governorship election and the presidential election are separate matters,” he declared.

The party's Women Leader, Rukayat Olanrewaju, described Olawepo-Hashim’s emergence as a reflection of the confidence members have in his leadership, integrity, and vision for a united and prosperous Nigeria. She said party members in Osun would continue grassroots mobilisation ahead of 2027.

Hundreds of supporters waved banners and placards bearing messages of support for Olawepo-Hashim, chanting slogans and reaffirming loyalty to what they called the party’s authentic presidential mandate.

The stakeholders called on the Accord Party's national leadership to respect the wishes of members and uphold internal democracy. They insisted that the mandate given to Olawepo-Hashim can't be negotiated, substituted, or surrendered to external political interests.

The rally ended with a renewed pledge by party members in Osun to continue mobilising support for Olawepo-Hashim’s campaign as preparations for the 2027 general election gather momentum.

"Olawepo-Hashim remains our presidential candidate. Nobody can trade away a mandate freely given by party members."

The Accord Party is a minor political party in Nigeria. Olawepo-Hashim, a businessman and former presidential candidate, ran in the 2019 election under the Peoples Trust party before joining Accord. He has positioned himself as an alternative to the dominant APC and PDP.