2027: Gbenga Hashim’s Campaign Posters Defaced In Katsina

-Accord supporters raise concerns over political rivalry

-urge protection of campaign materials

The defacement of campaign posters belonging to the Accord Party’s presidential candidate, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, in Katsina State has raised concerns among his supporters as the party intensifies grassroots mobilisation across the North-West ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The campaign materials, reportedly displayed to increase Hashim’s visibility in the state, were allegedly vandalised, although the identities and political affiliations of those responsible for the act remain unknown.

The incident has prompted concerns among Accord supporters, some of whom suspect possible political motives, but no evidence has been presented to establish the involvement of any political party or individual.

The development comes as the Accord Party and its supporters step up efforts to expand their political presence across Kano, Katsina, Kaduna and Jigawa states, with a focus on grassroots engagement and communities they consider underserved.

As part of the mobilisation drive, the Hashim Progressive Movement has announced a target of securing six million votes for the candidate across the seven North-West states of Kano, Katsina, Kaduna, Jigawa, Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara.

The movement said its strategy involved community-level engagement, coordination with political stakeholders and grassroots mobilisation beyond major cities and established political centres.

In Kano, Hon. Bashir Miko and other movement leaders have also pledged to mobilise two million votes for Hashim, underscoring the scale of the campaign’s ambition in the region.

The growing mobilisation has coincided with reports of political realignments involving former members and stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in parts of the North-West.

Media reports in June documented declarations of support for Hashim by some former APC stakeholders and members in Kano, Jigawa and Katsina, who announced their alignment with Accord at separate mobilisation meetings.

For Accord supporters, the reported defacement in Katsina highlights the need to protect campaign materials and ensure that all political parties can canvass for support without intimidation or interference.

They maintain that political disagreements should be addressed through democratic engagement rather than the destruction of campaign materials.

The incident also draws attention to the challenges political parties may face as they seek to expand their support bases ahead of the 2027 general election.

With the North-West featuring prominently in Hashim’s mobilisation strategy, the party’s ability to build local structures, engage voters and sustain its campaign presence will be central to its efforts to compete with more established political parties in the region.