Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, a notable presidential aspirant for the 2027 polls, has vehemently accused elements within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of orchestrating a renewed smear campaign against him. He claims these political operatives are sponsoring fresh allegations through his estranged wife, an action he describes as part of a broader strategy to discredit him ahead of the upcoming general elections. In a detailed statement, Olawepo-Hashim posited that his ex-wife’s recent claims disseminated in the media were meticulously orchestrated by remnants of the same political handlers who, he asserts, previously conspired to impede his 2019 presidential bid.

Elaborating on past events, Olawepo-Hashim alleged that his ex-wife had been “recruited by elements around Buhari in the UK High Commission and the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA).” He claimed that, among other “sinister things,” they attempted to frame him for funding terrorism. He stated that he was questioned in the UK but was subsequently released when no evidence was found, specifically pointing to his ex-wife as the individual who provided the initial information to the UK authorities. During this period, the politician also alleged that the same group seized two of his oil assets, forcing him into a prolonged and arduous legal battle to reclaim them.

Olawepo-Hashim recalled a significant legal victory in November 2020, when the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, delivered a ruling that restored the Hely Creek and Abigborodo marginal oil fields to his company, Transnational Energy Limited (TEL). The court determined that the government’s prior revocation of these fields was illegal and subsequently awarded $20 million in damages against the federal institutions involved. Connecting these events, Olawepo-Hashim claimed that his ex-wife’s legal battle in the UK was an integral part of this extensive scheme, adding that she was “recruited by the then Deputy Director-General of the NIA, Air Force General Bello, who is her in-law.” He further clarified that she had obtained an undefended divorce judgment in England, which awarded her £18 million (approximately ₦36 billion). However, this judgment was later annulled by a Nigerian court, given that their marriage was conducted under Nigerian law.

The former presidential candidate further accused APC handlers of having “funded her with millions of dollars,” nominating her for several foreign grants designated for female entrepreneurs and start-up businesses. He stated that his lawyers have repeatedly written to her, requesting account details for the children’s upkeep, but she has consistently refused, maintaining that she desires the £18 million rather than funds for their welfare. Olawepo-Hashim also alleged that his ex-wife has denied his family access to their children, unequivocally describing her as “a professional blackmailer and social climber who has made plenty of money from that trade.”

He steadfastly maintained that the revival of her story is politically motivated, asserting that “now that the 2027 campaign has started, the same APC team has picked her up again, pushing her story in the media.” Olawepo-Hashim also dismissed recent reports of a new court order purportedly directing one of his companies to pay ₦300 million, labeling it “an invention of an APC night court,” as he claimed no such process was ever served on his legal team. Concluding his statement, he characterized these actions as “an act of desperation on their part,” indicating that his political message is resonating. He drew a parallel by stating, “Picking up stories from bitter women against opposition figures will not save the APC from imminent defeat in 2027,” and added, “Tales like this did not stop President Trump in America; they won’t stop us here either, by the grace of God.”