A former presidential aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has proposed a swift resolution to the party’s lingering leadership crisis. According to Olawepo-Hashim, the issue can be resolved within a week if the party’s leadership adopts a political approach rather than pursuing lengthy legal battles. He made this statement during a meeting with the PDP National Chairman, Tanimu Turaki, as part of ongoing consultations aimed at achieving an out-of-court resolution to the party’s internal dispute.
Olawepo-Hashim emphasized that resolving the crisis through political engagement would be more beneficial for the party’s survival and the strengthening of Nigeria’s multiparty democracy. He noted that the party already possesses the necessary constitutional authority to resolve the impasse without resorting to litigation. Citing Sections 3(1) and 3(4) of the PDP Constitution, Olawepo-Hashim explained that two-thirds of the National Executive Committee (NEC) members can convene a meeting to address the crisis.
The majority of NEC members, who were elected before the disputed Ibadan convention, retain their legitimacy and can take corrective action in the best interest of the party. Although the tenure of some National Working Committee (NWC) members expired on December 8, Olawepo-Hashim pointed out that the pre-Ibadan NEC members remain constitutionally empowered to intervene. As one of the conveners of the PDP in 1998 and its first elected Deputy National Publicity Secretary, Olawepo-Hashim’s insights carry significant weight.
The PDP has been embroiled in a leadership crisis, which has sparked concerns about the party’s future and its role in Nigeria’s democratic process. Olawepo-Hashim’s proposal offers a potential way forward, emphasizing the need for political solutions over legal battles. By adopting this approach, the party can potentially resolve its internal disputes and refocus on its role in the country’s multiparty democracy. The outcome of these efforts will be closely watched, as the PDP’s stability and effectiveness have significant implications for Nigeria’s political landscape.
