Accord Leaders in Osun Defy Adeleke, Reaffirm Gbenga Hashim As Presidential Candidate

Leaders, stakeholders, and longstanding members of the Accord Party in Osun State, including executives who were in the party long before Governor Ademola Adeleke joined its ranks, on Wednesday reaffirmed their support for Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, insisting that no external influence can override the will of party members.

The declaration was made at a rally in Osogbo attended by party leaders, women groups, youth supporters, and grassroots members from across the state.

Speaking on behalf of the party, Daniel Adedayo said the gathering was convened to formally reaffirm Olawepo-Hashim’s mandate and send a clear message that Accord members in Osun remain firmly behind his presidential aspiration.

According to him, Olawepo-Hashim possesses the vision, experience, and national appeal required to provide the leadership Nigeria needs at this critical moment.

“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 are ready to stand with him all the way,” Adedayo said.

The party leaders rejected suggestions that support for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid in the August 15 governorship election should translate into abandoning the party’s presidential ambition.

“Gbenga 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,” Adedayo declared.

Also speaking, the party’s Women Leader, Rukayat Olanrewaju, described Olawepo-Hashim’s emergence as a reflection of the confidence party members have in his leadership, integrity, and vision for a united and prosperous Nigeria.

She said party members in Osun State remain resolute in their support for his candidacy and would continue to mobilise grassroots support for his campaign ahead of the 2027 election.

Hundreds of supporters waved banners and placards in support of Olawepo-Hashim, chanting slogans and declaring their loyalty to what they described as the party’s authentic presidential mandate.

The stakeholders urged the national leadership of the party to respect the wishes of members and uphold the principles of internal democracy, insisting that the mandate given to Olawepo-Hashim cannot be negotiated, substituted, or surrendered to external political interests.

The rally comes amid ongoing controversy over the Accord Party’s presidential nomination process, with supporters maintaining that Olawepo-Hashim remains the validly elected and widely accepted choice of party members across the country.