Former presidential aspirant Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has vowed that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will be removed from power in 2027.
In a statement, he accused the ruling party of using illegal and institutional measures to weaken opposition forces ahead of the 2027 elections.
Olawepo-Hashim, a stalwart of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), drew a historical parallel, reminding Nigerians that even the late military ruler, Sani Abacha, could not prevent democracy from prevailing.
“No legal or administrative manoeuvre can derail Nigeria’s multiparty democracy,” he insisted.
Describing recent developments as part of a concerning pattern, he warned that such actions threatened the integrity of democratic competition in the country.
“We have travelled this road before under Abacha’s dictatorship. It ended in victory for genuine democracy, while those plotting one-man rule were disgraced,” Olawepo-Hashim stated.
He reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to political pluralism, noting that the nation’s founding fathers deliberately embedded multiparty democracy in the country’s constitution.
“Our founding fathers chose multiparty democracy, and by the grace of God, that legacy will be preserved. No group, no matter how clever or determined, will succeed in destroying Nigeria’s democratic system,” he said.
Olawepo-Hashim also warned against any drift toward authoritarianism, drawing comparisons with Zaire under the late Mobutu Sese Seko, where prolonged one-man rule undermined democratic institutions.
“One-man or one-party rule will not happen here. This is Nigeria. We will not allow anyone to reduce our democracy to a tragic parody, as occurred in Zaire under Mobutu,” he added.
He raised concerns about what he described as selective administrative decisions in the political party registration process, alleging that some qualified associations have been delayed, while others aligned with the ruling party received interim recognition.
Calling these developments warning signs of democratic backsliding, he urged Nigerians and the international community to remain vigilant in defending democratic norms.
Olawepo-Hashim appealed to “lovers of democracy across the world” to implement lawful, evidence-based accountability measures, including targeted sanctions, travel restrictions, and asset freezes against individuals allegedly undermining Nigeria’s multiparty system.
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