Olawepo-Hashim Weighs PDP Exit Amid Reconciliation Collapse

As reconciliation efforts within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) strain, presidential aspirant and founding member, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, is now weighing the option of leaving the party, it was learnt.

The internal leadership dispute within the PDP has evolved into a structural breakdown following the recent Abuja national convention.

The competing camps — the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led faction, backed by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, and the Tanimu Turaki-led faction, backed by Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde — have failed to reach any form of truce and have returned to court.

The rift has weakened the party’s position as a strong opposition to the ruling party.

However, a source within Olawepo-Hashim’s camp hinted that the presidential aspirant is aware of the implications of the ongoing crisis within the former ruling party.

The source said remaining within a fractured and potentially compromised structure could undermine both his presidential ambition and his longstanding commitment to democratic plurality.

“His ongoing consultations across party lines suggest a deliberate effort to build or align with a broader coalition capable of resisting the emergence of a one-party dominant system in Nigeria.

“This moment may well represent a turning point, not just for Olawepo-Hashim, but for the future of opposition politics in Nigeria. If key actors begin to exit or disengage from the PDP, the party could face a rapid decline in relevance, paving the way for a new political alignment to emerge.

“At stake is more than partisan advantage. The weakening of viable opposition structures raises fundamental questions about the health of Nigeria’s democracy. Without a strong and independent opposition, the risk of democratic erosion becomes increasingly real,” the source added.

End.