Accord Party presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has warned that Nigeria’s 2027 election must meet the democratic standard set by the 2015 presidential poll.
Olawepo-Hashim, Co-Chairman of the Movement for Democratic Renewal, made the call while reacting to Tinubu’s recent remarks during a meeting with Catholic Bishops at the State House in Abuja.
He said he listened to the President’s remarks several times and became concerned by what he heard.
“I listened to the recording over and over again. That was not the Bola Tinubu I knew between 2018 and 2021,” he said.
Olawepo-Hashim said he felt pity for Tinubu and questioned the priorities of people around the President as the 2027 election approaches.
“My greatest worry is that those around him appear more interested in securing another election than in giving him the attention that he deserves,” he said.
However, he said concerns about Tinubu should not affect Nigeria’s democratic institutions or the conduct of the 2027 election.
Olawepo-Hashim recalls Jonathan’s 2015 concession
Olawepo-Hashim pointed to the 2015 presidential election, when then-President Goodluck Jonathan conceded defeat to Muhammadu Buhari and handed power to the opposition.
“That election elevated Nigeria’s democratic standing before the world,” he said.
He urged political leaders and electoral institutions to protect the standard set by that election.
“Any election that falls short of the 2015 democratic standard will not be acceptable to the Nigerian people,” he said.
Meanwhile, Olawepo-Hashim asked the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies and other institutions involved in the election to act without favouring any candidate or party.
“Nigeria needs free and fair elections, not coronations. Our institutions must serve the Constitution, not any individual or political party,” he said.
