A prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has raised the alarm over alleged efforts by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to use legal and institutional channels to sideline opposition parties before the 2027 elections.
Speaking through his media office in a statement released on Sunday, January 18, Hashim insisted that such tactics would fail to destroy Nigeria’s multiparty democracy and predicted that the ruling party would lose power in 2027.
The pro-democracy activist, who has been involved in Nigeria’s democratic struggles for years, said the current situation is worrying and reminiscent of previous attempts to stifle political competition in the country.
Drawing from history, Olawepo-Hashim pointed to Nigeria’s experience under military dictator Sani Abacha, saying democracy eventually triumphed despite efforts to impose one-man rule.
“We have travelled this road before under Abacha’s dictatorship, and it ended in victory for the forces of genuine democracy, while the plotters of one-man rule were disgraced,” he said.
He emphasised that Nigeria’s multiparty system was a deliberate choice made by the nation’s founding fathers and protected by the constitution.
“Our founding fathers opted for multiparty democracy, and by the grace of God, that legacy will be preserved; no group, no matter how clever or determined, will succeed in destroying Nigeria’s democratic system by the Grace of God,” he said.
Hashim warned that Nigeria would not tolerate any form of dictatorship, comparing such dangers to what happened in Zaire under Mobutu Sese Seko.
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“One man rule or one party rule will not happen here; this is Nigeria, and we will not allow anyone to reduce our democracy to a tragic parody, as was the case with Zaire under Mobutu Sese Seko,” he said.
The PDP chieftain also criticized what he called biased decisions in how political parties are being registered, claiming that qualified organizations have been delayed while groups friendly to the ruling party received quick approval.
He described this as evidence that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat and called on both Nigerians and the international community to stay alert and protect democratic values.
Hashim appealed to “lovers of democracy across the world” to consider appropriate accountability measures against those allegedly trying to destroy Nigeria’s multiparty system, suggesting that options like travel bans and asset freezes could be applied where there is solid evidence and proper legal process.
He stressed that protecting democracy requires transparency, accountability, and respect for constitutional rules.
Despite the obstacles, Hashim expressed confidence that Nigerians would stand firm in defending democracy and predicted that the APC would be voted out of power through peaceful and constitutional means in 2027.
“Nigerians would defend democracy and remove the APC from power peacefully, constitutionally, and through the ballot in 2027,” he said.