Presidential aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, Dr. Gbenga Hashim, has declared that the All Progressives Congress will be voted out of power in the 2027 general elections, insisting that legal and administrative moves against the opposition will not stop the will of Nigerians.
Hashim, a veteran of Nigeria’s pro democracy struggle, accused the ruling party of deploying legal and institutional strategies aimed at weakening opposition participation ahead of the next election cycle.
He said such actions raise serious concerns about the future of multiparty democracy in the country.
According to him, similar attempts to undermine political pluralism have occurred in the past and were defeated by popular resistance.
He recalled the era of military dictatorship, noting that efforts to impose one man rule collapsed under the collective resolve of Nigerians.
“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,” Hashim said.
He reaffirmed that Nigeria was founded on multiparty democracy, stressing that the country’s constitutional framework was deliberately designed to accommodate political pluralism.
“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,” he stated.
Hashim warned against any slide toward authoritarian rule, drawing parallels with the political history of Zaire under the late Mobutu Sese Seko, where prolonged one man rule weakened democratic institutions.
“One man rule or one party rule will not happen here. This is Nigeria. We will not allow anyone to reduce our democracy to a tragic parody, as was the case with Zaire under Mobutu Sese Seko,” he added.
The PDP chieftain also expressed concern over what he described as selective administrative decisions in the registration of political parties.
He alleged that while some qualified political associations are being stalled, others believed to be aligned with the ruling party have received interim recognition.
Describing these developments as warning signs, Hashim called on Nigerians and the international community to remain vigilant in defending democratic values.
He urged lovers of democracy worldwide to support lawful accountability measures against individuals allegedly working to undermine Nigeria’s multiparty system.
Hashim concluded by expressing confidence that Nigerians would defend democracy and remove the APC from power through peaceful, constitutional, and credible elections in 2027.
