Former presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gbenga Olawepo Hashim, has officially resigned from the party.
This was disclosed in a letter dated April 4, 2026, addressed to the PDP Chairman of Usuma Ward in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory.
According to the letter, his resignation takes effect immediately.
His decision came due to the irreconcilable internal divisions and failed peace efforts.
He said the party had been engulfed in “persistent and unending crises” for over a year, resulting in its factionalisation into two dominant camps.
The businessman and human rights activist lamented that efforts for reconciliation proved to no avail.
According to him, “I cannot, in good conscience, be complicit in actions that undermine democratic values.”
He added that the situation could prevent the party from fielding credible candidates or reduce it to a passive supporter of the incumbent administration.
“Today, Nigeria faces severe challenges; widespread insecurity across multiple regions, the tragic and continuous loss of innocent lives, and an economy in distress, with rising poverty among millions.
“It would be inconsistent with my convictions to remain part of any arrangement that appears to legitimize or sustain these conditions.
“Nigeria Today is experiencing terrorist wars in four of our six regions,” he stated.
He added that “massacres of innocent people have become a daily occurrence. Over eighteen thousand people have been killed in terrorist violence in the three years of the current administration.
“The economy has crumbled, and crippling poverty has soared. Only wickedness, greed and lack of integrity would keep any leader in a system that appears to endorse such outcomes or participate in any charade to coronate a pre-determined candidate.”
He added that “It is indeed disheartening that a great party, founded by some of Nigeria’s most committed democrats and patriots has been brought to its knees by internal divisions and individuals whose primary distinction is that they benefited the most from the public offices entrusted to them by the PDP.”
“At this juncture, I believe it is necessary for me to step aside and pursue a new path.
“I am compelled by the urgent political realities of our time to collaborate with other patriotic leaders and citizens who are committed to preventing the emergence of a one party state and to building a new political order that guarantees security, justice, and economic prosperity for all Nigerians.
“The time has come to move forward.”
Ex-presidential aspirant, Gbenga Olawepo Hashim quits PDP