The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has included the presidential candidate of the Accord Party, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, in the final list of candidates for the 2027 presidential election in compliance with a Federal High Court judgment.
The Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Amupitan, disclosed this on Thursday in Abuja at an event organised by the National Orientation Agency (NOA).
Amupitan said the commission will respect the court judgment directing it to recognise Hashim as the Accord Party presidential candidate, adding that the number of presidential candidates for the election has now increased to 19.
The development followed a Federal High Court judgment delivered in Abuja on October 5, 2026, which ordered the Accord Party to recognise Hashim as its presidential candidate and submit his name to INEC.
According to the INEC Chairman, the commission’s compliance with the court order underscores its commitment to the rule of law as preparations continue for the general elections.
Speaking at the event, Amupitan described the 2027 general election as potentially the largest democratic exercise on the African continent, noting that it involves over 103 million registered voters and 176,846 polling units across the 774 local government areas of the country.
He said the scale of the election, which covers presidential, National Assembly, governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls, makes it one of the most complex logistical exercises in the world.
With Hashim’s inclusion, the number of presidential candidates has risen from 18 as published in September to 19.
INEC is expected to reflect the update in its official records and publish a revised list accordingly.
