Former presidential candidate and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim said Nigeria can regain its economic strength through responsible and visionary leadership. He made the remarks on Sunday when chairmen of the 62 PDP wards in the Federal Capital Territory, area council chairmen, and members of the State Working Committee visited his Utako office in Abuja to appreciate his engagement with party members and reaffirm support for his political vision.
Olawepo-Hashim expressed optimism that Nigeria has the resources and human capital to rebuild its economy, stressing that sound policies and purposeful leadership could reverse current economic challenges. He noted that Nigeria once had a strong economy driven by transparency, discipline, and productive governance, citing that in 1966 Nigeria’s GDP was double Malaysia’s and larger than Indonesia’s, while per capita income in 1976 tripled that of China.
He highlighted industrial growth in Northern Nigeria during the First Republic, noting that policies under the late Premier of Northern Nigeria, Ahmadu Bello, transformed Kaduna into a thriving textile manufacturing hub providing employment for thousands. Olawepo-Hashim urged party officials to intensify grassroots mobilisation, describing ward leaders as critical to electoral success, and expressed optimism that ongoing reconciliation efforts would restore unity within the PDP.
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FCT PDP Chairman Ismail Dogara commended Olawepo-Hashim for engaging grassroots stakeholders and described him as a pan-Nigerian leader. He said the visit reaffirmed solidarity with Olawepo-Hashim and expressed confidence in the PDP’s ability to win future elections despite internal challenges.