Movement backs Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim for president
A political group within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) says Nigeria should prioritize competence over zoning when choosing its next president in 2027.
The Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM) made this known during a press briefing in Osogbo on Tuesday, warning that zoning the presidency to the South could further divide the country and damage PDP’s unity.
Zoning could worsen party divisions, group warns
Acting State Coordinator of the group, Tajudeen Hassan, said the PDP needs to focus on unity and strong leadership rather than region-based power sharing.
“Zoning has now been given so much prominence, and forcefully adopted as a criterion in key political decisions,” Hassan said.
“We see the decision to zone the ticket to the South as a bad precedent that risks alienating parts of the country and deepening ethnic divides.”
The group argued that zoning violates Section 84 of the Electoral Act by limiting the democratic rights of Nigerians to contest elections based on merit.
Why they support Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim
The GHSM used the occasion to publicly back Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, describing him as an ideological politician with the vision, character, and moral strength needed to tackle Nigeria’s major problems.
“What Nigeria needs now is not zoning, but competence,” Hassan added. “Hashim is ready to lead the country into a new era of stability, prosperity, and unity.”
Calls for open contest, not regional favoritism
Also speaking, GHSM Southwest Coordinator Olaniyi Abass said the zoning arrangement would limit the chances of the country producing the best candidate.
“We’re working hard in Osun and across the Southwest to push for someone like Hashim to emerge and give PDP a real chance at rescuing Nigeria,” Abass said.
