The leaders and stakeholders of the Accord Party in Osun State have reaffirmed their support for Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, insisting that no external influence can overturn the mandate freely given to him by party members.

The declaration was made during a rally in Osogbo, where party leaders, women groups, youth supporters, and grassroots members from across the state gathered to publicly endorse Hashim’s presidential ambition.

Speaking on behalf of the party in the state, Daniel Adedayo said the rally was convened to reaffirm confidence in Hashim’s leadership and to send a clear message that Accord members in Osun remain firmly committed to his candidacy.

According to him, “Hashim possesses the vision, experience, and national appeal required to provide the leadership Nigeria needs at a critical period in its history.”

“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.

In a statement made available to journalists in Kaduna on Thursday, the stakeholders dismissed 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 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 noted that party members in Osun State remain resolute in their support for his candidacy and would continue grassroots mobilisation efforts ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Hundreds of supporters at the rally waved banners and placards bearing messages of support for Hashim, chanting slogans and reaffirming their loyalty to what they described as the party’s authentic presidential mandate.

The stakeholders also called on 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 Hashim cannot be negotiated, substituted, or surrendered to external political interests.

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

The gathering concluded with a renewed pledge by party members in Osun State to continue mobilising support for Hashim’s presidential campaign as preparations for the 2027 general election gather momentum.