By Our Correspondent
Leaders, stakeholders, and longstanding members of the Accord Party in Osun State have reaffirmed their support for Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, declaring that no political influence or alliance can overturn the mandate freely given to him by party members.
The declaration was made on Wednesday during a rally held in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, where party executives, women groups, youth supporters, and grassroots members gathered to demonstrate solidarity with the former presidential aspirant.
The development comes amid growing controversy within the Accord Party over its presidential nomination process and speculation that support for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid could affect the party’s national political calculations ahead of the 2027 polls.
Addressing the gathering, a prominent party stakeholder, Mr. Daniel Adedayo, said the rally was convened specifically to reaffirm the support of Accord members in Osun State for Olawepo-Hashim’s presidential ambition.
According to him, the party faithful in the state remain convinced that Olawepo-Hashim possesses the leadership qualities, experience, and national appeal required to steer Nigeria through its current socio-economic and political challenges.
“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 stated.
He maintained that the presidential mandate granted to Olawepo-Hashim by party members across the country remains valid and cannot be surrendered under any circumstance.
Adedayo dismissed suggestions that political support for Governor Adeleke in the forthcoming governorship election should translate into abandoning the party’s presidential project.
“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,” he declared.
The party chieftain stressed that members of the Accord Party in Osun State remain committed to protecting the integrity of the party’s internal democratic processes.
He noted that political alliances at the state level should not be used as justification to undermine decisions reached collectively by party members at the national level.
Also speaking at the rally, the party’s Women Leader, Mrs. Rukayat Olanrewaju, described Olawepo-Hashim’s emergence as the product of a transparent process that reflected the confidence members have in his leadership credentials.
She said the presidential hopeful has consistently demonstrated commitment to national unity, economic development, and democratic governance.
According to her, women within the party remain firmly behind his aspiration and are prepared to mobilise support across communities ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
“Olawepo-Hashim’s emergence reflects the confidence members have in his integrity, vision, and capacity to lead Nigeria towards greater prosperity,” she said.
Olanrewaju added that grassroots mobilisation efforts would be intensified to ensure that the party’s message reaches every corner of the country.
The rally witnessed a large turnout of supporters who waved banners and placards bearing messages of support for the Accord presidential hopeful.
Several participants chanted solidarity songs and slogans while reaffirming their loyalty to what they described as the party’s authentic presidential mandate.
Party stakeholders at the event also called on the national leadership of Accord to remain faithful to the wishes of its members and uphold the principles of internal democracy.
They warned against any attempt to substitute, negotiate, or surrender the mandate already bestowed on Olawepo-Hashim in favour of external political interests.
The stakeholders argued that respect for party rules and democratic procedures remains essential for maintaining the confidence of members and supporters nationwide.
They further maintained that political expediency should not override the collective decision of party faithful who participated in the nomination process.
According to them, any move capable of undermining the party’s democratic culture could trigger disaffection among members and weaken the party’s prospects ahead of future elections.
The leaders therefore urged members across the country to remain united and focused on strengthening the party ahead of the 2027 general election.
Observers believe the latest declaration from Osun State may further intensify debates within the party over its presidential ticket and broader political strategy.
With preparations for future elections already gathering momentum, the position taken by the Osun stakeholders is expected to shape discussions within the Accord Party in the coming months.
For now, the message from Osogbo was unmistakable: supporters of Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim in Osun State remain unwavering in their support and insist that his presidential mandate remains non-negotiable.
