- Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim resigned from the PDP over prolonged internal divisions
- He warned the crisis could weaken the party’s electoral prospects
- He called for a new political order to address insecurity and economic challenges
A former presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has formally resigned from the party, citing persistent internal divisions and failed reconciliation efforts.
His resignation was conveyed in a letter dated 4 April 2026 and addressed to the PDP Chairman of Usuma Ward in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory. According to the letter, his decision takes immediate effect.
Olawepo-Hashim attributed his departure to what he described as “persistent and unending crises” that have plagued the party for over a year, resulting in its fragmentation into two dominant factions. He noted that several attempts at reconciliation had failed to resolve the situation.
“I cannot, in good conscience, be complicit in actions that undermine democratic values,” he stated.
The businessman and human rights activist warned that the ongoing divisions could weaken the party’s ability to present credible candidates in future elections or reduce it to a passive supporter of the incumbent administration.
He further expressed concern over the broader state of the nation, pointing to rising insecurity and economic hardship. According to him, Nigeria is currently facing severe challenges, including widespread violence and increasing poverty levels.
“Nigeria today is experiencing terrorist wars in four of our six regions,” he said, adding that the loss of innocent lives had become a frequent occurrence. He also claimed that thousands of people had been killed in recent years due to terrorist activities.
Olawepo-Hashim criticised the country’s economic situation, describing it as distressed and marked by worsening poverty. He argued that remaining within a system that appeared to sustain such conditions would contradict his personal convictions.
He lamented what he described as the decline of the PDP, a party he said was founded by committed democrats and patriots but had now been weakened by internal conflicts and self-interest among its members.
“At this juncture, I believe it is necessary for me to step aside and pursue a new path,” he said.
The former aspirant added that he would seek to collaborate with other political actors and citizens to prevent the emergence of a one-party state and to work towards building a new political order focused on security, justice and economic prosperity.