Former presidential candidate and a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has issued a stark warning regarding the state of Nigeria’s democracy, emphasizing that it hangs in the balance should the main opposition party continue its current trajectory of internal crisis. His urgent call for immediate reconciliation and a return to the party's original principles comes amidst significant turmoil within the PDP.

Olawepo-Hashim’s statement was prompted by a recent factional convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State. This event proceeded despite a series of contradictory court orders and even a subsisting court judgment that specifically restrained the faction from convening. Such defiance, he noted, has only served to expose and widen the existing cracks within the major opposition party, fueling concerns about its coherence and effectiveness.

Reflecting on the party’s origins, Olawepo-Hashim reminded Nigerians of the PDP’s historic formation 27 years ago, hailing it as one of the most remarkable demonstrations of political maturity in the nation’s history. He highlighted that the party was forged from the unity of over 13 political associations, each robust enough to stand independently, but brought together through extensive dialogue, broad consultation, and a profound spirit of inclusion. This foundational vision, he explained, was deliberately crafted to create a platform capable of preventing military adventurism, safeguarding the unity and indivisibility of the Nigerian State, and promoting genuine Federalism.

The former presidential candidate underscored that this inclusive and consultative ethos was instrumental to the PDP’s early success, citing its achievement of securing almost two-thirds of elected positions during the December 1998 local government election. This initial triumph, he added, played a crucial role in stabilizing Nigeria’s nascent democratic order. However, Olawepo-Hashim stressed that the party’s current path, characterized by fragmentation, court-induced confusion, and exclusionary politics, represents a dangerous departure from these foundational ideals.

“Inclusion, not exclusion, is the tradition of the PDP,” Olawepo-Hashim warned emphatically. He called for a concerted effort to bring all sides back to the negotiating table, asserting, “We must strive to bring all sides back to the table to save the PDP and save Nigeria’s democracy.” He insisted that the party’s revival is contingent upon genuine unity and purposeful reconciliation, urging its leaders to embrace a single watchword: “We must not leave anyone behind.” Adding a scriptural dimension to his plea, he referenced Ecclesiastes 3:1, noting that “to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.” He concluded that this particular moment is not a season for expelling members, but rather a crucial season for reconciliation, bringing in new members, and ultimately, saving the PDP to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy. As the PDP continues to grapple with legal disputes, factional activities, and entrenched internal distrust, Olawepo-Hashim’s intervention places significant pressure on party stakeholders to abandon parallel structures and restore the party’s status as a cohesive and credible opposition force, essential for protecting Nigeria’s democratic future.