North-West Accord Party Members Reject Alleged Plot to Replace Hashim

Members of the Accord Party and the Hashim Progressives Movement (HPM) from the North-West geopolitical zone on Tuesday rose in strong defence of the party’s presidential candidate, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo Hashim, condemning what they described as attempts by “unscrupulous elements” to undermine his emergence as the party’s flagbearer ahead of the 2027 general election.
Addressing a press conference in Kaduna, leaders of the movement drawn from the seven North-West states reaffirmed their loyalty to Hashim, insisting that he remains the only lawful and legitimate presidential candidate produced through the party’s democratic process.
The briefing, held at Sahaba Hall in Rigasa, Kaduna, was jointly addressed by the North-West Zonal Coordinator of the Hashim Progressives Movement, Comrade Bashir Muhammad Goje Alade, and the group’s Zonal Women Leader, Ambassador Aisha Ya’u Ibrahim.
The leaders alleged that certain forces within and outside the party were working behind the scenes to overturn the outcome of the presidential primaries and substitute the candidate chosen by party delegates.
According to them, any move to alter the outcome of the nomination process would amount to a direct assault on internal democracy and the collective will of party members across the country.
“Dr. Gbenga Olawepo Hashim remains the only legal, legitimate and duly elected presidential candidate of the Accord Party,” the group declared.
They maintained that Hashim followed all constitutional and electoral requirements, purchased the necessary nomination forms, participated in the primary election and emerged victorious through a process they described as transparent and credible.
The North-West leaders warned against what they termed “backdoor manipulation” and political horse-trading aimed at denying party members the benefits of their democratic choice.
They stressed that delegates and members across the region voted for Hashim based on confidence in his leadership capacity and national appeal, insisting that the mandate freely given to him could not be traded away by a few individuals pursuing personal interests.
The group further condemned alleged clandestine meetings and efforts to present an alternative presidential candidate outside established party procedures, warning that such actions could deepen internal divisions and undermine the credibility of the party.
Describing the North-West as Nigeria’s largest voting bloc, the movement said party members in the region were closely monitoring developments and would resist any attempt to compromise democratic principles within the Accord Party.
The leaders called on the National Working Committee of the party, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies and other democratic stakeholders to ensure that the outcome of the presidential primary election is respected and protected.
They also urged party members across the country to remain calm and united while rallying behind Hashim’s candidacy.
The press conference comes amid growing speculation over internal disagreements within the Accord Party regarding its presidential ticket, although no official announcement has been made by the party leadership suggesting any change in the status of the candidate.
Despite the uncertainty, the North-West chapter of the Hashim Progressives Movement said its position remains unchanged.
“Our support and allegiance remain firmly with Dr. Gbenga Olawepo Hashim,” the leaders said, describing him as “the people’s choice and the party’s choice.”
The development signals a fresh twist in the unfolding contest over the future direction of the Accord Party as political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections continue to take shape.