Presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Gbenga Hashim, has expressed strong confidence that the All Progressives Congress (APC) will lose power in the 2027 general elections, insisting that Nigeria’s democracy cannot be derailed by legal or administrative tactics.
Hashim, a long-time figure in Nigeria’s pro-democracy movement, accused the ruling APC of using institutional and legal strategies to weaken opposition parties ahead of the next election cycle. According to him, such actions are part of a worrying pattern that threatens fair political competition in the country.
Drawing from history, Hashim warned that Nigerians have seen similar tactics before. He recalled the era of military rule under late General Sani Abacha, noting that attempts to impose one-man rule ultimately failed. “We have travelled this road before, and it ended in victory for genuine democracy. Those who tried to subvert the system were disgraced,” he said.
The PDP chieftain reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to multiparty democracy, stressing that political pluralism was a deliberate choice made by the nation’s founding fathers and firmly entrenched in the Constitution. He insisted that no group, regardless of influence or strategy, would succeed in dismantling that foundation.
Hashim also cautioned against any slide toward authoritarianism, comparing the situation to Zaire under the late Mobutu Sese Seko, where prolonged one-man rule weakened democratic institutions. He made it clear that such a scenario would not be tolerated in Nigeria, describing it as unacceptable and contrary to the nation’s democratic identity.
Raising concerns about the political party registration process, Hashim alleged that some qualified associations had been stalled, while others believed to be aligned with the ruling party were granted interim recognition. He described this as selective administration that could undermine trust in the electoral system.
Calling these developments warning signs of democratic backsliding, Hashim urged Nigerians and the international community to remain alert. He appealed to democracy advocates worldwide to support lawful and evidence-based accountability measures against individuals accused of undermining Nigeria’s multiparty system.
Despite the challenges, Hashim expressed confidence in the Nigerian people, stating that democracy would ultimately prevail. He maintained that the APC would be removed from power peacefully, constitutionally, and through the ballot in 2027, as Nigerians rise to defend transparency, accountability, and the rule of law.
