Opposition Stalwart Slams APC Over Alleged “Abacha-Era” Tactics

Former presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has fired a blistering warning at the All Progressives Congress (APC), vowing that the ruling party will be swept from power in 2027. In a scathing critique of the current political landscape, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain accused the administration of employing “illegal and institutional tricks” to systematically dismantle the opposition. He argued that the ruling party is attempting to rig the democratic process long before the first ballot is even cast.

Drawing a sharp historical parallel, Olawepo-Hashim reminded the nation of the dark days under the late military dictator Sani Abacha. He noted that even during that era of extreme repression, the forces of genuine democracy eventually triumphed over those who sought to impose a one-man rule. For Hashim, the current “legal and administrative maneuvers” allegedly being orchestrated by the APC are a modern iteration of those failed tactics, designed to create a political monopoly that he insists Nigerians will never accept.

The politician expressed deep concern over what he described as a “tragic parody” of democracy, comparing the current drift to the authoritarian regime of Zaire under Mobutu Sese Seko. He asserted that Nigeria’s founding fathers deliberately chose a multiparty system to prevent the concentration of power in a single pair of hands. According to him, any attempt to reduce the nation to a one-party state is not just a political offense but a violation of the constitutional framework that holds the federation together.

A major point of contention in his statement was the recent handling of political party registrations. Olawepo-Hashim alleged that the process has become selective and weaponized. He claimed that while several qualified and independent political associations have seen their registration efforts stalled, other groups perceived to be “friendly” or aligned with the ruling party are being fast-tracked through interim recognition. This, he argued, is a clear sign of democratic backsliding aimed at ensuring the APC has no credible challengers in the 2027 cycle.

The opposition leader didn’t stop at internal criticism; he issued a direct call to the international community to keep a close eye on Nigeria’s democratic health. He urged “lovers of democracy” across the globe to hold individuals accountable for undermining the multiparty system. His recommendations were bold, suggesting that travel restrictions and asset freezes should be considered for any official found to be using state institutions to stifle political competition or rig the administrative foundations of future elections.

Olawepo-Hashim’s rhetoric signals an intensifying battle for the soul of the 2027 polls. He maintained that the APC’s “clever” plots to weaken rivals will ultimately backfire, as they did for past autocrats who underestimated the resilience of the Nigerian spirit. He insisted that the “road” the ruling party is currently traveling leads only to disgrace, as the collective will of the people for a diverse and competitive political space remains unbroken.

As the political maneuvering for the next general election accelerates, Hashim’s statement serves as a rallying cry for the fractured opposition. He challenged his colleagues to remain vigilant and united against what he views as a systematic attempt to turn Nigeria into a “closed shop.” For him, the preservation of the democratic legacy is a “divine mandate” that will outlast any temporary political strategy or institutional manipulation.