By Jacob Oyewale
A frontline Politician, Business Mogul and former Presidential Candidate, Dr. Olawepo Gbenga Hashim is one of the leading Aspirants ahead of 2027 Presidential race. Gbenga Hashim is a dogged Politician with capacity, capability, wide network and good acceptability rating to actualise his ambition.
He is not a new comer in national political space. His antecedent as Students’ Union Leader in the 80s brought him to national limelight following the arrest and detention of anti-apartheid activists by General Ibrahim Babagnida Military administration in 1989. After years of self discovery and education in United Kingdom. Olawepo Gbenga Hashim joined partisan politics in 1995 when he became National Publicity Secretary of the National Democratic Labour Party (NDLP) in the transition programme announced by the Abacha regime.
Although, his party and that of some politicians like Solomon Lar, Alhaji Rimi, Ciroma and Bamanga Tukur’s ANC were denied registration. The Human Rights Crusader refused to stain his democratic credentials by ignoring the military founded political parties but aligned with principled politicians who opposed the late Nigerian military dictator Sani Abacha. This group of politicians first organised around the Institute for Civil Society and G-34 and later pioneered the formation of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
In 1998/1999.
Olawepo previously served as PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary. His bid to redirect Nigeria to the path of greatness, he contested for President in 2019 under People’s Trust to challenge a incumbent President, Muhammadu Buhari who seems not be getting governance right. He also aspired for presidential ticket of All Progressives Congress in 2023 but withdrew from the race as a result of undemocratic tendencies playing out in the party. His instinct serves him right as major players that enthroned President Bola Tinubu have seen the light now.
Interestingly, Gbenga Hashim, heavy weight Politician from North Central region recently returned to PDP with the view of strengthening the party by promoting competence, inclusivity and internal democracy ahead 2027 general elections.
However, the unconstitutional move by PDP to zoning presidential ticket to southern zone has created another crisis in the leading opposition party. From Jos to Lagos, Lagos to Osogbo, Abuja to Nasarawa; the people are agitating for fair contest that would not deny anybody opportunity to aspire. Different PDP Stakeholders in Southwest has rejected zoning adopted by the NEC describing it as deliberate action to weaken the Party and tactically support reelection of Tinubu.
To this end, supporters of Gbenga Hashim are not resting on their oars to ensure the successful Business Mogul who promised to make Nigeria a N4trillion economy get PDP Presidential ahead of 2027 general elections.
For records, Olawepo Gbenga Hashim is a result-oriented personality, problem solver and leader with track records in oil & gas and energy sectors. He is a pathfinder with clear understanding of problems facing Nigerians and will tackle challenges without rhetorics or trade in blame game when elected.
It’s noteworthy that Gbenga Hashim is not seeking for endorsements but level playing ground where every Aspirant irrespective of their zone can aspire without restriction. It’s not too late for PDP to correct ‘zoning error’ and return to winning ways come 2027.