Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent attempts to reach out to the Yoruba people “carry little weight,” according to the South West chapter of the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM), which has announced that Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has already been chosen as the region’s preferred presidential candidate for the general elections in 2027.
Earlier in the week, Atiku, who is now a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), promised the Yorubas that, should he be elected president, their interests will be the first priority of his administration.
Citing his marriage and personal connections to the area, the former vice president called the South West his “extended family” and called concerns about Fulani’s power “unfounded.”
Alhaji Abass Olaniyi, the GHSM’s South West Coordinator, responded in Osogbo on Thursday, however, dismissing Atiku’s comments as romantic language that ignores the pressing concerns of the Yoruba people and all Nigerians.
Words or sentimental assertions are insufficient to influence the South West. Our people have consistently called for leadership that is based on competence, honesty, and a vision for a better Nigeria. For this reason, we completely support Dr. Gbenga Hashim,” Olaniyi stated.
Gbenga Hashim is more than just a politician running for office, he claims. He is a successful businessman with international recognition, a democrat with impeccable hands, and a bridge builder who can bring the North and South together.
Olaniyi underlined that Hashim is ideally suited to represent the progressive principles of justice, equity, and innovation in the region while also meeting national goals because of his Yoruba heritage and national appeal.
Furthermore, Olaniyi asserts that Dr. Hashim is running on the platform of the PDP, which is larger than Atiku’s ADC.
By characterizing the former vice president as a symbol of the “old order” in Nigerian politics, he further contrasted Hashim with Atiku.
Promises of being “in-laws” or a member of an extended family are not enough for our people. We are looking for a leader that can restore confidence in governance, has the guts to restructure Nigeria, and is aware of the intricacies of the modern global economy. He proclaimed, “That leader is Gbenga Hashim.”
As the candidate of conscience with the ability to bring Nigeria together, eradicate insecurity, and boost the economy, the GHSM South West Coordinator also called for Yoruba leaders, traditional leaders, civil society organizations, and young people to rally their support for Hashim.
“The South West has a history of advocating for progressive values, and in 2027, that tradition will be upheld by unwavering support for Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim,” Olaniyi said in closing.
