Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A prominent Nigerian politician and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has delivered a stark assessment of the party’s fractured state, declaring it a “lost battle” to save the opposition platform amid deepening internal divisions and failed reconciliation efforts. Dr Gbenga Olawepo‑Hashim, who recently resigned from the PDP, spoke candidly about his decision and the party’s future in an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time broadcast on Tuesday.
Olawepo‑Hashim, a veteran political figure and former presidential aspirant on the PDP’s platform, said his faith in efforts to unite the party had been exhausted after months of factional disputes and competing leadership claims. He described the organisation he once helped build as having deteriorated into a vehicle influenced by self-interest rather than a credible opposition force. “The PDP has now degenerated into a party in the pockets of a PDP minister who is working with the opposition,” he said, adding that he had decided to step away because he could no longer be part of a process that he believes would merely “enthrone the incumbent president.” His comments underscored his view that unity efforts had been overtaken by internal power plays and that the broader reconciliation needed to restore cohesion simply did not materialise.
In remarks reflecting frustration with recent developments, Olawepo‑Hashim pointed to a controversial convention held by a prominent faction within the PDP, led by a key party figure, which he said bypassed agreed arrangements for a harmonised leadership structure. He explained that prior agreements to harmonise the party’s executive committee and convene a unity convention were overtaken by unilateral actions, deepening distrust and solidifying the party’s split into rival camps ahead of the 2027 general elections. What was once internal disagreement, in his view, had morphed into a structural breakdown that threatened the party’s viability as a national opposition platform.
Olawepo‑Hashim’s departure is part of a broader collapse in reconciliation efforts within the PDP that has alarmed other party veterans and political observers. Deepening factionalism has seen the emergence of parallel leadership structures and competing conventions, with some party stakeholders challenging the legitimacy of actions taken by opposing camps. Critics argue that these divisions have eroded the PDP’s ability to present a unified front and undermined its capacity to offer an effective alternative to the ruling party. Analysts say the conflict has been exacerbated by contentious leadership battles, legal actions over party structures, and allegations that certain influential figures are aligned with external political interests, further weakening collective purpose.
Olawepo‑Hashim’s resignation was formalised in a letter dated April 4, 2026, addressed to the chairman of his ward in Abuja, in which he expressed dismay over the prolonged nature of the crisis. He cited the party’s continuous factionalisation over more than a year, noting that repeated efforts by well-meaning leaders to bridge divisions and restore unity had not yielded the desired results. In outlining his reasons, he argued that the party’s internal struggles had brought it to its knees and weakened its position as a viable political platform. He also linked the broader national context of insecurity, economic strain, and political instability to the party’s inability to coherently address pressing national issues, suggesting that remaining within the fractured structure would contradict his principles.
Political experts say Olawepo‑Hashim’s exit will resonate within Nigerian political circles, given his long history in national politics and his role as a founding convener and former deputy national publicity secretary of the PDP. His departure adds to growing concern among party loyalists and opposition supporters about the PDP’s readiness for the 2027 electoral cycle and its capacity to challenge the incumbent administration. These fears have been compounded by ongoing legal battles over party leadership and calls by some critics that elements within the party are aligning with dominant political forces to the detriment of internal democracy.
For years, the PDP was Nigeria’s dominant political party, steering the country through multiple electoral cycles and serving as the main opposition platform during periods of power alternation. However, deepening internal strife and competing power blocs have shaken confidence in its organisational cohesion and strategic direction. The current crisis, marked by overlapping conventions and disputed leadership claims, has underscored a broader struggle over the party’s identity and strategic future. Observers note that the absence of clear leadership and agreed procedures for resolving disputes has eroded public confidence and cast doubts on the party’s ability to effectively mobilise support.
Olawepo‑Hashim’s critique and subsequent resignation are likely to intensify discussions about the state of Nigeria’s opposition politics. Many political commentators argue that the viability of a competitive multiparty system depends on the ability of key opposition parties to maintain organisational integrity and present coherent alternatives to voters. The declining unity within the PDP, one of Nigeria’s oldest and historically significant parties, has raised questions about the strength of opposition politics and the health of Nigeria’s democratic landscape as the country approaches another pivotal election cycle.
In the wake of his resignation, Olawepo‑Hashim indicated that he would seek to collaborate with like-minded leaders and citizens committed to preventing the emergence of a one-party dominant state and fostering a new political order grounded in security, justice, and economic prosperity. His future political engagements remain closely watched as analysts await indications of whether other influential actors will follow his lead or whether the PDP will find a path to reconciliation.
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