A former presidential candidate and founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has ramped up consultations ahead of the 2027 general election, holding crucial meetings with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and ex-Military President General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.) on Monday.
The closed-door engagements, which took place in Abeokuta and Minna respectively, are part of a broader nationwide consultation strategy aimed at garnering support from elder statesmen and influential political figures as Nigeria approaches what many analysts consider a pivotal electoral cycle.
According to a statement released in Kaduna, Olawepo-Hashim used the meetings to present his vision for addressing Nigeria’s mounting security challenges, fostering national unity, stabilising the country’s political landscape, and restoring economic prosperity. The former presidential hopeful emphasised the urgent need for purposeful and inclusive leadership to prevent further national fragmentation.
Both Obasanjo and Babangida, though maintaining non-partisan stances in their post-leadership years, continue to wield considerable influence in Nigerian politics. Their roles in shaping the country’s political and military trajectory over several decades have positioned them as key voices on matters of national importance.
The statement detailed that Olawepo-Hashim arrived at Obasanjo’s Abeokuta residence at approximately 11:00 a.m., with the consultation lasting about an hour before he travelled to Minna for his meeting with Babangida.
During the Minna engagement, Olawepo-Hashim reportedly made an emotional appeal to Babangida’s legacy as a defender of Nigeria’s unity.
“General, you still carry in your body the wounds of the war fought to keep Nigeria one. Many of your colleagues were not fortunate to survive that struggle. If Nigeria is allowed to disintegrate today through incompetent leadership, then the sacrifices of patriots like you would have been wasted,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.
The former presidential candidate stressed that the 2027 election must prioritise national rescue, warning that persistent leadership failures could further jeopardise the country’s cohesion and stability. Nigeria has grappled with numerous challenges in recent years, including persistent insecurity across multiple regions, economic difficulties marked by inflation and unemployment, and deepening social divisions along ethnic and religious lines.
Olawepo-Hashim was accompanied on both visits by Professor Nghargbu K’tsɔ, Chairman of the North Central Renaissance Movement, alongside other aides. The delegation’s composition suggests a deliberate effort to build cross-regional support and demonstrate organisational capacity ahead of the electoral contest.
Political observers have interpreted the consultations as a strategic move to position Olawepo-Hashim as a consensus-building figure capable of bridging Nigeria’s diverse political landscape. The timing of these engagements, coming more than two years before the scheduled election, indicates an early start to what is expected to be a competitive presidential race.
The former presidential candidate’s approach of seeking counsel from elder statesmen represents a traditional political strategy in Nigeria, where the endorsement or guidance of respected former leaders can significantly influence electoral outcomes and party dynamics. Both Obasanjo and Babangida have previously played influential roles in shaping presidential contests, either through direct endorsements or behind-the-scenes consultations.
Nigeria’s 2027 general election is anticipated to be particularly consequential, as the country continues to face substantial governance challenges. The election will determine leadership at federal and state levels during a period when many Nigerians are calling for transformative change in addressing security threats, economic stagnation, and institutional weaknesses.
Olawepo-Hashim’s political career has spanned several decades, including his founding membership of the PDP and previous presidential bids. His latest round of consultations suggests a renewed determination to present himself as a viable alternative in the upcoming electoral contest.
