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Olawepo-Hashim Slams PDP Zoning Decision, Says Move Bolsters Tinubu’s 2027 Chances

Former presidential candidate and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has faulted the party’s decision to zone the presidency, warning that it could inadvertently pave the way for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, shortly after the PDP National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, Olawepo-Hashim described the move as “unprecedented” and a “default campaign” for Tinubu’s return.

“Zoning the presidency to the South is a default campaign for the return of President Bola Tinubu. Those pushing this agenda are PDP members who, in reality, are working for Tinubu,” he argued.

He stressed that the policy would weaken the PDP’s chances of fielding a viable candidate, saying: “It’s a subtle campaign for an easy ride of Bola Tinubu’s re-election.”

PDP’s Zoning History

The PDP stalwart maintained that the party had never excluded any region from contesting its presidential ticket. He cited past instances where candidates from across the country competed against sitting presidents.

“In 1999, Obasanjo contested against Alhaji Rimi from the North and Dr Alex Ekwueme from the East. In 2003, as sitting president, Obasanjo still contested against Barnabas Gemade from Benue and Rimi from Kano. The party never shut its doors to any zone,” he recalled.

According to him, the latest NEC decision amounts to a “big error,” though he acknowledged it was reached democratically. He added that such policies could even spark a constitutional crisis, as Nigeria’s Constitution prohibits discrimination in elective contests.

“Any aggrieved aspirant could challenge it in court and, if successful, have the PDP candidate disqualified,” he cautioned.

“Self-Correcting” PDP

Despite his criticism, Olawepo-Hashim expressed optimism that the PDP could reverse the decision, noting the party’s history of self-correction. He congratulated Ambassador Iliya Damagun on his ratification as substantive National Chairman, commending the party’s ability to maintain internal cohesion.

Unlike some other parties, he said, the PDP remained democratic and allowed space for internal debates and caucus consultations.

Wider Political and Economic Context

The PDP chieftain argued that the zoning push is largely being promoted by party members sympathetic to Tinubu’s re-election. He likened it to past political crises in Nigeria, warning that restricting contests undermines democracy.

Turning his attention to the APC, Olawepo-Hashim delivered a scathing assessment of its 10 years in power, describing the period as a “complete disaster of monumental proportion.”

He lamented that Nigeria’s GDP, which peaked at $574 billion in 2014 under PDP leadership, had shrunk to $259 billion, calling the decline “an unprecedented collapse.”

Despite this, he insisted Nigeria could still rebound with proper leadership: “The potential for recovery is there if the country is managed well.”

By Haruna Yakubu Haruna