A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Gbenga Hashim, has formally resigned from the party with immediate effect, vowing to work with other democrats to prevent the emergence of a one-party state in Nigeria.
In a letter dated April 4, 2026, and addressed to the Chairman of the PDP, Usuma Ward, Bwari Area Council, Abuja, FCT, Dr. Hashim noted that the party had been embroiled in persistent crises for over a year, leading to its complete factionalisation into two dominant groups.

“You are also witness to the numerous reconciliation efforts I undertook, alongside other well-meaning leaders, to bridge these divisions and restore unity within the party. Regrettably, these efforts did not yield the desired results,” he said.
Hashim, one of the conveners of the PDP in 1998 and its first elected Deputy National Publicity Secretary, stated that it had become increasingly evident that the crisis was partly orchestrated to weaken the party as a viable opposition.
“It has become increasingly evident that the crisis was, in part, orchestrated to weaken the PDP as a viable opposition, potentially preventing it from fielding credible candidates in the 2027 elections or, at worst, reducing it to a position of tacit support for the incumbent administration,” he said.

“I cannot, in good conscience, be complicit in actions that undermine democratic values. To remain in a system that appears to endorse a leadership record I fundamentally disagree with would be a betrayal of my principles and commitment to the Nigerian people,” he added.
According to him, Nigeria is currently facing severe challenges, including widespread insecurity, continuous loss of lives, and an economy in distress, with rising poverty.
“It would be inconsistent with my convictions to remain part of any arrangement that appears to legitimise or sustain these conditions,” he said.

“Nigeria today is experiencing terrorist wars in four of our six regions. Massacres of innocent people have become a daily occurrence. Over 18,000 people have been killed in terrorist violence in the three years of the current administration,” he claimed.
“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,” Hashim said.
He further lamented that the PDP, founded by committed democrats and patriots, had been weakened by internal divisions and self-serving interests.

“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,” he said.
“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 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,” he added.
In conclusion, Dr. Hashim expressed appreciation to the ward chairman, members of the Ward Executive Committee, and other stakeholders for their support and cooperation.