A Former Presidential Contender and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has called for the reconciliation of PDP factions as a court has allowed parties involved in the disputed convention in Ibadan to settle peacefully out of court.
Olawepo-Hashim said this in an interview with ARISE NEWS on Wednesday.
He said: “The good news is the public acknowledgment from all sides of a readiness to reconcile. We have been holding talks, and various groups are communicating. Both factions seem to agree that continuing legal battles at the Supreme Court is not in the party’s best interest. The focus now is on dialogue and agreeing on terms. This is a very positive step, and I am grateful for this progress.”
Speaking further, he added that despite its internal crisis, the PDP remains Nigeria’s most viable opposition platform and is still electorally competitive.
“Competition is the pillar of democracy. Despite its internal issues, the PDP remains the most viable opposition platform”, he stated.
He also noted that the party’s performance in recent municipal elections in Abuja shows it still has broad national appeal, stressing that strong political competition is essential for a healthy democracy.
“We saw this in the recent Abuja municipal elections, where the party remained highly competitive despite national-level friction. Abuja is a microcosm of Nigeria, and the party’s performance there shows it still has broad, national appeal.”
Speaking on consultations with former president Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, Olawepo-Hashim said the talks focused on safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy.
“Well, I consulted them before I sprang into action talking to all the factions. And it’s not about just the PDP. It’s about the future of democracy”, he revealed.
He maintained that PDP remains a strong opposition party in Nigerian politics.
“It’s about having a viable opposition. And for now, PDP is still the most viable opposition, no matter what anybody tells you. PDP is the only party that in every polling unit in Nigeria today, you’ll find five to ten members of the PDP who will still vote for the PDP.”
Addressing Wike, Olawepo-Hashim said Wike’s personal view cannot dictate the PDP’s independent election plans.
“Now, he is free to air his personal view, but he cannot impose his view on the party. That’s just the blunt truth. And he is not the first minister that would be serving in another party government”, he stated.
He further advised that the People’s Democratic Party should prioritise resolving internal conflicts first, stressing there is ample time before the 2027 elections for candidates to be nominated.
“Well, the brief for now is to have a party without crisis first. The general election is still a long time”, he said.
Arguing that the INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu overstepped, Olawepo-Hashim noted early primaries violate the Electoral Act and show bias.
“The INEC Chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, wants all the parties to start their primaries. It’s not in accordance with the Electoral Act. Why rush the parties? The whole rush is a contrived rush. It’s not a provision of the Electoral Act. Even under military rule, when military rulers made decrees, they complied with their own laws. What the INEC chairman has brought out is at variance with the provision of the Electoral Act.”
The Former Presidential Contender praised Seyi Makinde and the Governor of Bauchi, Bala Mohammed, for their courage in supporting reconciliation efforts within the PDP despite intense pressure.
“The fact that everybody agrees that we should get out of court without compulsion, nobody could compel them to do so, and even some of the governors that stayed, they are really courageous people. For instance, Seyi Makinde and the Governor of Bauchi, we should really praise them. They are facing a lot of heat”, he said.
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