PDP: Gbenga Hashim loyalists troop out at NEC meeting, rally support for his presidential bid

MORE than 1,000 supporters of the former presidential candidate and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, on Monday, converged at the venue of the party’s 102nd National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja, with call on him to declare interest in the 2027 presidential race.

The jubilant men and women, as well as the youth, clad in colorful vests and face caps, displayed bold banners and sang solidarity songs in support of the entrepreneur, describing him as “a credible alternative and a unifier the nation urgently needs at this critical time.”

The rally was coordinated by three major support groups: Hashim Unity Group, led by Honourable Musa Makanda, former Speaker of Bwari Area Council; The Hashims, led by Mr Sunday Tsado; and Hashim Advocates, led by Mallam Abba, former PDP youth leader in the FCT in 1999.

Addressing the gathering, leaders of the groups spoke in unison, describing Dr Hashim as an embodiment of the finest qualities of leadership within the PDP vision, integrity, and a consistent track record of advocacy for democracy and good governance.

They urged the leadership of the PDP to emulate his political conduct and prepare him as the PDP candidate ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Last week, PDP youth leaders from the 36 states formally welcomed Dr Hashim to the party and called on other party leaders to emulate him in his support for the youths of the party as the PDP prepares for 2027.

ADC leaders are prodigal sons, repentant ones free to come back — PDP governors

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors Forum has joined issues with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over its strident criticism of the PDP Governors Forum meeting held in Zamfara State on Saturday.

The PDP lashed out at defectors from the party, who form the bulwark of ADC leadership, saying their exit was good riddance to bad rubbish.

The ADC had described the PDP governors’ dinner and colourful gathering in Gusau as insensitive due to the state of insecurity in Zamfara.

The national publicity secretary of the party, Malam Bolaji Abdullahi, had described the Gusau meeting as “an insensitive jamboree,” reproving the governors for disregard to the pain inflicted on the people by bandit attacks.

However, in a statement by its Director-General, Dr Emmanuel Agbo, the PDP Governors Forum accused the ADC of playing politics with human lives, as the door of the PDP remains open to repentant members who show genuine remorse.

The governors said the outburst of the ADC was based on frustration by the defectors.

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“Ordinarily, we would not grant them the rare privilege of joining issues, but it is our sense of responsibility to correct the erroneous impression being forced down the sensibilities of the innocent Nigerian public that necessitates this response.

“Playing politics and trying to gain political capital with human lives isn’t our stock in trade, as is characteristic of the ADC.

“The Zamfara meeting was scheduled and not a spur-of-the-moment thing. ADC should have done better by empathising through a visit to the affected states than playing to the gallery.

“The meeting extensively deliberated on the state of the nation, the security situation, amongst other critical issues of national interest and at the end of the day issued a communique that created time and space to comment on the state of insecurity and security reforms as follows:

“The Forum particularly commends initiatives by the government of Zamfara State in significantly curbing insecurity within the state; but condemns the continued monstrous killings in Katsina, Plateau, Niger and Benue States and other parts of the country and calls on the federal government to be more responsive to the lives and properties of the citizenry,” it stated.

The Forum described the ADC as prodigal children whose defection has brought a great relief to the PDP.

According to the party, “Since their exit, the PDP has become much more formidable and focused, with our eyes on the ball.

“The ADC before now, with their inordinate sense of entitlement, constituted a huge clog to the wheel of national unity and harmony.

“The security situation in the country was of grave concern to the PDP governors, which took centre stage in our deliberation and resolution as contained in the communique.

“The ADC couldn’t see that much isn’t surprising, as the prodigal son wasn’t known to have any pity on his father’s fortune.”