PDP Crisis Poses Threat to Nigeria’s Democracy — Olawepo-Hashim

Former PDP presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is at risk if the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party is not urgently addressed.

Olawepo-Hashim issued the warning on Sunday in a statement made available to Punch, following the controversial PDP National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, by a faction of the party despite multiple conflicting court orders.

He recalled that when the PDP was formed 27 years ago, it represented a rare moment of political consensus.

The party emerged from the merger of over 13 political associations through “dialogue, broad consultation, and a deep spirit of inclusion,” he said.

“The founding fathers of the PDP deliberately built a platform capable of preventing further military intervention in governance, safeguarding national unity, and strengthening federalism,” Olawepo-Hashim added.

“This inclusive foundation gave the PDP an early advantage, enabling it to win nearly two-thirds of elective positions in the December 1998 local government elections, a milestone that helped stabilise Nigeria’s returning democratic order in 1999.

“The ongoing fragmentation, court-induced confusion, and exclusionary politics contradict the principles that once made the PDP a strong national institution,” he said.

Olawepo-Hashim urged party leaders to prioritise unity and meaningful reconciliation. “Inclusion, not exclusion, is the tradition of the PDP. We must strive to bring all sides back to the table to save the PDP and save Nigeria’s democracy. This period should be one of dialogue, not expulsion. We must not leave anyone behind,” he stressed.

Since losing the presidency in 2015, the PDP, once Africa’s largest political party, has been plagued by internal fractures, leadership tussles, factional conventions, and conflicting court rulings that have weakened its national cohesion.