Former PDP presidential aspirant Gbenga Olawepo‑Hashim has suggested a swift resolution to the party’s lingering leadership crisis. He told PDP National Chairman Tanimu Turaki that the dispute could be settled within a week if the party’s leadership adopts a political approach rather than pursuing lengthy legal battles. The remarks were made during a meeting that forms part of ongoing consultations aimed at achieving an out‑of‑court settlement of the internal conflict.
Olawepo‑Hashim stressed that political engagement would be more beneficial for the party’s survival and for strengthening Nigeria’s multiparty democracy. He pointed out that the PDP already possesses the constitutional authority to resolve the impasse without resorting to litigation. Citing Sections 3(1) and 3(4) of the PDP Constitution, he explained that two‑thirds of the National Executive Committee (NEC) members can convene a meeting to address the crisis. The majority of NEC members, elected before the disputed Ibadan convention, retain their legitimacy and can take corrective action in the party’s best interest.
Although the tenure of some National Working Committee (NWC) members expired on 8 December, Olawepo‑Hashim noted 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, his insights carry significant weight.
The PDP’s leadership crisis has raised concerns about the party’s future and its role in Nigeria’s democratic process. Olawepo‑Hashim’s proposal offers a potential way forward, emphasizing political solutions over legal battles. By adopting this approach, the party could resolve its internal disputes and refocus on its role in the country’s multiparty democracy. The outcome will be closely watched, as the PDP’s stability and effectiveness have major implications for Nigeria’s political landscape.
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