‎BY AHMED AKANBI

‎The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja midweek adjourned the substantive hearing of a suit filed by Accord Party chieftain, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, seeking to compel the party to recognise him as its presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections.

‎The adjournment followed the late entry of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) into the matter after both INEC and the Accord Party served fresh court processes on Hashim’s legal team shortly before Tuesday’s proceedings.

‎Counsel to the plaintiff, Henry Akunebu,  told the court the documents were only just served and asked for time to study and respond before the substantive hearing could proceed.

‎Hashim is asking the court to compel the Accord Party to upload and submit his name to INEC as its presidential candidate.

‎In the alternative, he wants an order directing the party to conduct a fresh presidential primary in which he would participate.

‎In an affidavit supporting the suit, Hashim described himself as a registered and financial member of the Accord Party.

‎He said he sponsored the party’s electronic membership registration drive with N7 million and paid the prescribed N50 million nomination fee to contest the presidential primary.

‎Hashim maintained that he emerged as the sole aspirant and winner of the primary election, which he said was monitored by INEC officials in line with the Electoral Act.

‎He further alleged that despite his victory, the party failed to submit his name to INEC and did not issue aspirants with guidelines for the conduct of the primary as required by INEC regulations.

‎The party chieftain added that he participated in the exercise based on assurances from the party’s national leadership.

‎In his written address, Akunebu argued that political parties are legally bound to comply with the Electoral Act, their constitutions and INEC’s regulations in nominating candidates.

‎He submitted that once a valid primary has been conducted, the law imposes a statutory obligation on the party to submit the name of the successful candidate to INEC.

‎The senior advocate urged the court to uphold internal party democracy by granting all the reliefs sought.

‎Justice Mohammed Umar granted the request and adjourned the matter to next Wednesday.