• Hunger, insecurity, hardship will decide 2027 elections, says party
• Abuja traders rally PDP to adopt Olawepo-Hashim for 2027 presidency
A leaked document, yesterday, showed that the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, may have been untruthful about his claim that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not invite him to its proposed elective convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
It would be recalled that Wike, during an interview on Channels Television had vowed to challenge the plan alongside his allies in the party, who he said would meet on Wednesday (yesterday) to review the decision he described as “injustice.”
He said: “I am not aware that they are going for a convention in Ibadan. As a NEC member, I have not been told, and nobody has invited me for a NEC meeting. If those people who are working as a team say they are holding NEC, so be it. If no notice of meeting has been served on me as a member of NEC, I have every right to challenge that, and no one can deny me my rights.”
However, the leaked memo showed that the former Rivers State governor was invited according to a letter dated July 10, 2025.
The letter was signed by the party’s National Secretary, Samuel Anyanwu, and addressed to Wike on behalf of the National Working Committee (NWC) of the PDP.
Anyanwu informed the minister that the NEC meeting would be held at the PDP NEC Hall, Wadata Plaza, Abuja, by 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 24, 2025.
The letter showed that it was received by the Office of the FCT Minister, as well as stamped and signed on July 18, 2025.
Meanwhile, the PDP has said that the hardship being faced by Nigerians would be a major deciding factor in the 2027 elections.
The party’s Spokesperson, Debo Ologunagba, while speaking at a media briefing in Abuja, said Nigerians had become “wiser” and would not return the APC to power in the 2027 elections.
IN another development, despite the growing pressure on the PDP to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, a coalition of young female traders in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, yesterday, urged a former presidential hopeful from the North-Central, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, to join the race following his recent return to the party.
An indigene of the FCT and the association’s leader, Murjanatu Idris, who spoke on behalf of the group, said that Nigerian youths are eager for a break from the “recycled names and faces” that have dominated the political space for decades.
The traders said that zoning had done little to strengthen Nigeria’s democracy but had instead deprived competent individuals of the opportunity to govern.
“There can never be a better option than Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim. The youths in the country are tired of the same old names and faces that have offered little or no progress. We need fresh energy, vision, and sincerity of purpose, and we see all these qualities in Gbenga,” Murjanatu stated.
She described Olawepo-Hashim as one of the youngest voices among political stalwarts, such as Jerry Gana, Sule Lamido, Abubakar Rimi, and Sunday Awoniyi, who fought courageously for the democracy Nigeria enjoys today.
Idris, citing Olawepo-Hashim’s recent media interview, praised his articulation of national issues, describing it as proof of his depth, patriotism, and vision for the future.
“That interview set him apart as a leader who has the country’s interest at heart. His words resonated with us as young traders who feel the impact of Nigeria’s economic and political decisions every day in the marketplace,” she noted.
The traders further announced plans to formally endorse Olawepo-Hashim as their preferred candidate for the 2027 elections by September 2025.
“Our endorsement will be public and emphatic. We believe in his capacity to unify Nigeria, restore dignity to governance, and drive policies that will empower ordinary citizens, especially women and youths,” Murjanatu affirmed.
They, therefore, urged Olawepo-Hashim to step forward as a credible alternative in the 2027 presidential contest.
