PDP crisis deepens as Gbenga Hashim weighs defection

The internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has taken a new turn, with presidential aspirant and founding member, Gbenga Hashim, reportedly considering exiting the party amid growing uncertainty over its future.

 

Sources close to the development said reconciliation efforts within the party have largely collapsed, with deep divisions and competing interests weakening its position as a credible opposition platform ahead of the 2027 elections.

 

“What began as an internal leadership dispute has evolved into a full-blown structural breakdown,” a source said, adding that the situation has left the party “increasingly ineffective as a national opposition platform.”

 

There are also concerns among stakeholders that elements within the PDP may be aligning with the ruling establishment, a development fuelling fears that the party is gradually losing its identity as an opposition force.

 

The uncertainty, insiders say, has prompted fresh consultations by Hashim, who is now weighing his political options.

 

“Remaining within a fractured and potentially compromised structure could undermine both his presidential ambition and his long-standing commitment to democratic plurality,” another source noted.

 

His ongoing engagements across party lines are believed to be part of a broader strategy to either build or join a coalition capable of challenging the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

Analysts warn that a possible exit by key figures like Hashim could further weaken the PDP and accelerate its decline, potentially reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape ahead of 2027.

 

“If key actors begin to disengage… the party could face a rapid loss of relevance,” a source said, adding that such a shift may open the door for new political alliances.

 

The development underscores growing concerns about the strength of opposition politics in Nigeria, with observers warning that a weakened opposition could tilt the system towards a one-party dominance if not addressed.