Presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has expressed confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be democratically voted out of office in the 2027 general elections, asserting that legal and administrative stratagems will not undermine Nigeria’s multiparty democratic framework.
Hashim, a veteran of Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle, accused the ruling party of deploying institutional and legal mechanisms designed to constrain opposition participation ahead of the next electoral cycle. He characterized these actions as part of a recurring pattern that poses significant risks to fair political competition and democratic balance.
Drawing on historical precedent, Hashim noted that similar attempts to weaken political pluralism in the past were ultimately defeated by popular resistance and democratic resolve. He recalled the era of military dictatorship under the late General Sani Abacha, arguing that efforts to impose authoritarian control were decisively rejected by Nigerians committed to democratic governance.
The PDP stalwart reaffirmed that multiparty democracy remains a foundational pillar of Nigeria’s political architecture, deliberately adopted at independence and firmly entrenched in the Constitution. He maintained that this legacy cannot be subverted by any individual or group, regardless of influence or strategy.
Warning against any slide toward authoritarianism, Hashim likened the current trajectory to the political experience of Zaire under Mobutu Sese Seko, where prolonged one-man rule hollowed out democratic institutions. He stressed that Nigeria would not tolerate a similar regression, insisting that neither one-party dominance nor personal rule has a place in the country’s democratic future.
Hashim also raised concerns over what he described as selective and uneven administrative practices in the political party registration process. He alleged that while some qualified political associations remain stalled, others perceived to be sympathetic to the ruling party have received interim approvals, a trend he described as indicative of democratic erosion.
Calling for heightened vigilance, Hashim urged Nigerians and the international community to actively defend democratic norms and institutions. He further suggested that, where supported by credible evidence and due process, targeted accountability measures including travel restrictions and asset freezes could be considered against individuals accused of undermining Nigeria’s multiparty system.
He emphasized that sustaining democracy requires transparency, institutional accountability, and strict adherence to constitutional provisions, cautioning that deviations from these principles threaten the integrity of the political system.
In closing, Hashim expressed firm confidence that Nigerians will ultimately safeguard their democracy and effect a peaceful, constitutional change of government by voting the APC out of power in the 2027 general elections.
