Members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have declared their support for the presidential aspiration of Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At a meeting attended by about 170 stakeholders of the party from various area councils, the FCT PDP faithful openly rejected the decision of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) to zone the presidential ticket of the party to the South.
They maintained that the decision was unacceptable and vowed to resist any attempt to stop their preferred candidate from the North-Central region.
Amid chants of “PDP – Power to the people”, speakers at the gathering maintained that it was time for the North-Central to produce Nigeria’s president, stressing that the region could no longer continue to play a subordinate role in national politics.
A party chieftain, Hon. Soko Dobo held that the North-Central was solidly behind Olawepo-Hashim and that efforts were ongoing to rally delegates across the country in his favour.
“The National Chairman himself said zoning does not mean others cannot contest. We in the North-Central are fully behind Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim,” he said.
Another party starlwart, Dr Ezekiel said Olawepo-Hashim fully understands the challenges facing the FCT people.
He lamented what he called political marginalisation of FCT residents, saying with a population of over 5 million across 800 communities, the Territory still lacks a State structure with only one senator and two members in the House of Representatives.
In his remarks, Olawepo-Hashim thanked party leaders and supporters for endorsing his aspiration, assuring them that he would not disappoint.
He urged them not to be discouraged by the NEC’s zoning decision, recalling that in 1999, the PDP still allowed aspirants outside the favoured zone to contest.
“I have no intention of backing down. No party can close its doors to any Nigerian’s aspiration. The North-Central has never produced a President or Vice President, and it will be unfair to deny us the chance now,” he said.
Stakeholders present also formally adopted Dr Gbenga Hashim as the political leader of FCT.
The motion for the adoption was moved by the state chairman, Hon Ismail Dogara and seconded by the Chairman of Bwari Area Council, Hon John Gabaya.
The National Vice Chairman, North-Central Zone, Alhaji Abdulrahman Mohammed Takushara, thanked Olawepo-Hashim for “his unflinching support for the North-Central Zone which will ‘galvanise the party for greater victories in the Zone by the Grace of God”.
In his further remark at the meeting, Olawepo-Hashim charged all stakeholders to work hard to secure victory at the area council election scheduled for 2026.
