Former Presidential Aspirant and prominent politician from the North-Central, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has joined the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC).
Olawepo-Hashim announced in a statement that he is opting for the APC to actualise his vision because the party is not just populated by people with whom they founded the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but also because the party is a reasonable pathway for the preservation of the unity and progress of the nation.
He stressed that he is now also convinced about the passion of President Muhammadu Buhari’s for anti-corruption even though critics have questioned the effectiveness of his anti-corruption crusade. Ironically, “the other party does not even care a whim about curbing corruption”, and regrettably, “its members celebrate their newly adopted legacy of graft and display of criminal opulence. The other party is a far cry from the community of honourable men and women that it was in 1998 when we lunched it”
Lately rated with President Buhari as one of the most engaging political leaders online, Olawepo-Hashim revealed that he has formally registered in Usuma ward as it is procedurally required, and this was after series of consultations with his longtime friends and associates of over 23 years, His Excellency, Abdulrahman Abdulrazak, the Governor of Kwara state.
He has also received support and encouragements from His Excellency George Akume, former Governor of Benue state and current Minister of Special duties, who is equally an important leader of the party in the North central zone, and a major political ally since their days as founding members of then ruling party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 1999.
He recalled that “I was then privileged to serve as the first elected Deputy National Publicity secretary as well as chairman of the important Group of 54 National Executive Committee (NEC) members that included a majority of the party’s elected Governors in 1999”, and “By the Grace of God today I will be attending the stakeholders meeting of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter of the All Progressive Congress(APC), in what is my first public event as a member of the party”
The politician added that it was clear after the 2019 elections that going forward we have to make a choice between one of the two major political parties in Nigeria, for a more meaningful struggle for a better Nigeria. Pursuant to that, “in the past six months I have twice met the Chairman of the APC National care taker committee, His Excellency, Mai Mala Buni, and several times with my brother and friend Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mallam Abubakar Malami (SAN).
This is in addition to meetings with Minister of the FCT, Mallam Mustapha Bello, who is the leader of the APC in the FCT, and also a member of the Federal Cabinet. “I have also consulted with party elders, leaders and members too numerous to mention, and especially the FCT party chairman, who worked very hard to convince me to join the APC”
Regardless, “in deciding for the APC, I have no illusion that I have come to a perfect party or that the struggle to birth a new Nigeria on this my chosen new platform will be easy. I will continue to rely on your prayers and support, the strength of the Lord and his guidance and protection as I embark on this journey.
“Please permit me to state that in taking this decision my long-standing commitment to the struggle for Justice and Equity will not waiver, just as my adherence to the principles of true federalism will not wane, and not least will my three-and-a-half-decade struggle for the improvement of the welfare of the down trodden Nigerians diminish. I remain solid in my pursuit of a new Nigeria, modern, united peaceful and prosperous.”
