A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gbenga Hashim, has declared that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) will be removed from power in the 2027 general elections, insisting that no legal or administrative manoeuvre can derail Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
Hashim made the assertion in a statement released to journalists on Sunday in Kaduna by his media office, where he accused the APC-led government of engaging in actions aimed at weakening opposition participation ahead of the next election cycle.
According to him, the alleged use of legal and institutional measures to sideline opposition parties forms part of a broader and troubling pattern that threatens democratic competition in the country.
“Such developments mirror past attempts to undermine political pluralism in Nigeria,” Hashim said, adding that similar efforts in the past were defeated by the collective will of Nigerians.
Drawing historical parallels, the PDP presidential hopeful likened the situation to the era of military rule under the late General Sani Abacha, noting that attempts at imposing one-man rule ultimately failed.
“We have travelled this road before under Abacha’s dictatorship, and it ended in victory for the forces of genuine democracy, while the plotters of one-man rule were disgraced,” he stated.
Hashim reaffirmed Nigeria’s constitutional commitment to multiparty democracy, stressing that political pluralism was a deliberate choice made by the country’s founding fathers at independence.
“Our founding fathers opted for multiparty democracy, and by the grace of God, that legacy will be preserved. No group, no matter how clever or determined, will succeed in destroying Nigeria’s democratic system,” he said.
He also warned against any slide toward authoritarianism, citing the experience of Zaire under the late Mobutu Sese Seko, where prolonged one-man rule weakened democratic institutions.
“One-man rule or one-party rule will not happen here. This is Nigeria. We will not allow anyone to reduce our democracy to a tragic parody, as was the case with Zaire under Mobutu Sese Seko,” Hashim cautioned.
The PDP chieftain further raised concerns over what he described as selective administrative decisions in the political party registration process, alleging that while some qualified political associations face delays, others perceived to be aligned with the ruling party have received interim recognition.
Describing these developments as warning signs of democratic backsliding, Hashim urged Nigerians and the international community to remain vigilant in defending democratic norms.
He called on “lovers of democracy across the world” to consider lawful and targeted accountability measures against individuals allegedly working to undermine Nigeria’s multiparty system, noting that such measures could include travel restrictions and asset freezes, where backed by credible evidence and due process.
Hashim emphasised that safeguarding democracy requires transparency, accountability, and strict adherence to constitutional principles by political actors and institutions.
He concluded by expressing confidence that despite current challenges, Nigerians would rise to defend democracy and remove the APC from power peacefully, constitutionally, and through the ballot in 2027.
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