PDP founding member, Olawepo Hashim,  dumps party 

A founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Gbenga Olayepo Hashim, has dumped the party, citing prolonged internal crises and failed reconciliation efforts.

His resignation is contained in a letter dated April 4, 2026, addressed to the Chairman of the PDP, Usuma Ward, Bwari Area Council, Abuja.

The former deputy national publicity secretary of the PDP said his resignation was with immediate effect.

He said not only is the party factionalised, but all attempts by well-meaning leaders to bridge the divisions and restore unity within the party has failed. Regrettably, these efforts did not yield the desired results.”

Hashim, a former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the PDP, stated that it had become “increasingly evident” that the crisis had weakened the party’s position as a viable opposition.

“It has become increasingly evident that the crisis was, in part, orchestrated to weaken the PDP as a viable opposition, potentially preventing it from fielding credible candidates in the 2027 elections or, at worst, reducing it to a position of tacit support for the incumbent administration,” he said.

He added that he could no longer remain in the party without compromising his principles.

“I cannot, in good conscience, be complicit in actions that undermine democratic values. To remain in a system that appears to endorse a leadership record I fundamentally disagree with would be a betrayal of my principles and commitment to the Nigerian people,” he said.

Highlighting the country’s current challenges, Hashim pointed to insecurity and economic hardship as key concerns.

“Today, Nigeria faces severe challenges — widespread insecurity across multiple regions, the tragic and continuous loss of innocent lives, and an economy in distress, with rising poverty among millions,” he said.

“Nigeria today is experiencing terrorist conflicts in several regions, and the loss of lives has become deeply concerning. The economy is under significant strain, and poverty has increased sharply.”

He further criticised what he described as declining standards in political leadership.

“Only wickedness, greed, and lack of integrity would keep any leader in a system that appears to endorse such outcomes or participate in any process perceived as endorsing a predetermined candidate,” he stated.

Hashim also expressed disappointment over the state of the PDP.

“It is disheartening that a great party, founded by some of Nigeria’s most committed democrats and patriots, has been brought to its knees by internal divisions and individuals whose primary distinction is that they benefited the most from public offices entrusted to them by the PDP,” he said.

He said his decision marks the beginning of a new political direction.

“At this juncture, I believe it is necessary for me to step aside and pursue a new path. I am compelled by the urgent political realities of our time to collaborate with other patriotic leaders and citizens committed to preventing the emergence of a one-party state and to building a new political order that guarantees security, justice, and economic prosperity for all Nigerians.

“The time has come to move forward,” he added.