Gbenga Hashim Rejects Ethnic Politics, Advocates for Competence in Nigeria’s 2027 Elections
Presidential Hopeful Calls for Merit-Based Leadership Over Regional Interests
In a bold statement challenging Nigeria’s political status quo, former presidential candidate Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has declared that the nation’s future depends on competent leadership rather than ethnic or regional considerations. The political veteran’s remarks come amid growing debates about zoning arrangements ahead of the 2027 elections.
A Nation in Need of Visionary Leadership
Hashim emphasized that Nigeria’s pressing challenges—including insecurity, economic stagnation, and declining living standards—require leadership focused on national development rather than sectional interests. “Nigeria does not need a Southern or Northern President,” he stated. “What our country urgently needs is a good president, one with the capacity to secure the nation, rebuild the economy, and restore hope among our people.”
The political leader criticized what he described as a coordinated campaign by some political actors to prioritize regional representation over national competence. His comments reflect growing concerns about the manipulation of ethnic and religious divisions for political gain in Africa’s most populous nation.
Historical Precedents Support Meritocracy
To support his argument, Hashim cited several historical examples where Nigerian voters transcended ethnic and religious lines:
- The 1993 presidential election where Kano voters rejected their kinsman Bashir Tofa in favor of M.K.O. Abiola from Ogun State
- The 2023 elections where Lagos voters rejected the incumbent president for a candidate from another region
- The First Republic election in Gboko where a predominantly Tiv Christian constituency elected a Kanuri Muslim to the Northern Regional Assembly
“These examples show that Nigerians can look beyond tribe and religion when given credible options,” Hashim noted, challenging the notion that ethnic identity determines electoral success.
Condemnation of Divisive Politics
The presidential hopeful issued a scathing critique of politicians who exploit ethnic and religious sentiments, describing them as “merchants of ethnicity and religious manipulation.” He accused such actors of prioritizing personal gain over national interest, stating: “Those advocating for Southern or Northern presidency are not doing so for the people, but for their own stomachs.”
Hashim’s statement comes at a time when political discourse in Nigeria increasingly focuses on power rotation between the country’s diverse regions. His intervention adds a significant voice to calls for prioritizing governance competence over geographic representation.
A Call to Action for 2027 Elections
With Nigeria’s next general elections three years away, Hashim urged all political parties to establish credibility, competence, and character as the primary criteria for candidate selection. He warned that the nation’s survival depends on moving beyond what he called “political shenanigans” and embracing merit-based leadership.
“The time for political shenanigans is over,” Hashim declared. “We must not allow the future of our country to be mortgaged by merchants of ethnicity and religious manipulation. Nigerians deserve a decent country, governed by decent people.”
Vision for a United Nigeria
Reaffirming his commitment to national unity, Hashim called on citizens across all regions and religions to reject divisive politics. He advocated for a future built on merit rather than identity, emphasizing that Nigeria’s complex challenges require leadership that transcends ethnic calculations.
As political activities gradually intensify ahead of 2027, Hashim’s position establishes him as a prominent voice advocating for paradigm shift in Nigeria’s political culture—one that prioritizes governance capacity over geographic or ethnic representation.
Credit: This article is based on original reporting from Sahel Standard.