A former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election on the platform of the Accord Party, saying his political movement has already mobilised over one million supporters into the party nationwide.
Hashim disclosed this in a statement issued by his media office on Tuesday.
The presidential hopeful said his political structure had commenced extensive grassroots mobilisation across the country as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.
According to him, the mobilisation effort is aimed at building a formidable political movement capable of offering Nigerians an alternative platform.
“We have quietly mobilised about one million of our supporters into the Accord Party, and we are still doing so,” Hashim said.
He also reacted to comments reportedly credited to a governor suggesting that the Accord Party would not field a presidential candidate in 2027.
Hashim described the remark as an overreach, insisting that no individual has the authority to determine who would emerge as Nigeria’s next president.
“That is an overreach for him. The presidency of Nigeria is too big for anyone to allocate. It is in the hands of God and the Nigerian people,” he stated.
The former presidential candidate argued that some political actors often make such pronouncements out of fear and political survival instincts within Nigeria’s highly competitive political environment.
“I know the governor is scared stiff that if he does not go about dancing and declaring support for the incumbent president in a rival party, they would rig him out. But that does not give him the power to allocate the presidency,” he added.
Hashim maintained that political power ultimately belongs to the electorate and cautioned against attempts to predetermine the outcome of future elections.
“When power changes hands, those who think they can control it will be shocked and humbled,” he said.
He reaffirmed his commitment to providing Nigerians with what he described as a credible alternative anchored on competence, national unity, economic revival and inclusive development.
Olawepo-Hashim contested the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Trust and has remained active in national political discourse, advocating restructuring, economic reforms and national unity. He has also been involved in coalition talks among opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections.
The Accord Party, founded in 2006, has participated in several national and state elections but has remained a minor player in Nigeria’s political landscape dominated by the ruling All Progressives Congress and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party.
Political activities ahead of the 2027 elections have intensified in recent months, with consultations, coalition moves and alignments among opposition politicians gathering momentum amid growing concerns over the economy, insecurity and governance in the country.