Nigeria’s presidential hopeful, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has raised concerns about the country’s diminished global influence under two decades of democratic rule, stating that Nigeria once provided financial aid to Russia and Dubai during the military regime.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Olawepo-Hashim compared Nigeria’s once prominent role on the world stage to its current state of stagnation. He criticised the failure of democratic governments over the past 20 years to address Nigeria’s pressing economic and security challenges, describing it as a period of “misrule” that has left the nation struggling to regain its former status.
“Under military rule, Nigeria was a significant global player. We funded Russia and Dubai, nations that are now economic giants.
“Today, our country is bogged down with mismanagement and internal strife,” Olawepo-Hashim said. “In the last 20 years, what have we achieved in terms of leadership, security or economic progress?”
The statement noted that Olawepo-Hashim’s comments reflect the disillusionment many Nigerians feel, “as the country faces an array of challenges, including widespread insecurity, an underperforming economy, and an inefficient political system”.
Olawepo-Hashim argued that while the military regime exhibited global ambition, Nigeria’s democratic leadership has been marked by indecision and ineffective governance.
“Nigeria was once capable of taking bold steps on the international stage. Now, we are stuck with a leadership that has failed to deliver,” he said.
“The past 20 years have been wasted. Our country is facing a leadership crisis, and it’s high time we re-evaluated our political and economic strategies.”
Despite his criticisms, Olawepo-Hashim assured Nigerians that the current challenges can be overcome with the right leadership.
He emphasised that the issues Nigeria faces today are not insurmountable but will require bold reforms, strong political will, and a focus on long-term solutions.
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