Ahead of the 2027 general elections, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, a presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has intensified cross-party consultations to forge a broad-based coalition and counter what he described as a gradual drift toward a one-party state in Nigeria.
Hashim made the call in Abuja while hosting leaders of the Accord Party, led by its National Chairman, Barrister Maxwell Mgbudem.
Other members of the delegation include the party’s National Secretary, Hon. Adebukola Abiola Ajaja; National Treasurer, Salaudeen Abdulazeez Oyeniyi; and Organising Secretary, Hon. Ibe ThankGod.
During the meeting, the PDP aspirant stressed the urgency of opposition unity, noting that collaboration among political actors is essential to preserve democratic pluralism and institutional balance.
The engagement follows Hashim’s recent appearance on Channels Television, where he raised concerns about what he termed a creeping move toward a one-party system allegedly driven by the ruling All Progressives Congress under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
He argued that opposition parties are increasingly constrained by internal divisions and external pressures that undermine their capacity to organise and function effectively.
Hashim also criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), accusing it of imposing an unconstitutional electoral timetable. He referenced provisions of the Electoral Act, particularly Section 29(1), which requires political parties to submit their lists of candidates no later than 120 days before an election.
According to him, the law implies that parties should have until around August or September to conclude their primaries. He, however, criticised INEC’s directive requiring primaries to end by May, arguing that it effectively shortens the timeline by several months and places undue pressure on opposition parties already grappling with internal disputes and litigation.
While acknowledging INEC’s recent adjustments to deadlines for the submission of party registers, Hashim maintained that the fundamental concern regarding the compressed timetable remains unresolved.
The latest meeting is part of a broader engagement strategy. Earlier in the year, Hashim met with Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate and national chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC), in what observers view as a sustained push toward opposition alignment.
Across the engagements, Hashim reiterated that Nigeria’s democracy must be safeguarded through cooperation among political stakeholders committed to accountability, equity, and a competitive multi-party system. He warned against any attempt to concentrate political power that could undermine democratic choice.
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