Supporters of former presidential candidate, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, have declared readiness to challenge the dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the South-West ahead of the 2027 general elections.
At a strategic meeting held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on Sunday, loyalists of the politician vowed to mobilize grassroots support across the region, stressing that the APC under President Bola Tinubu has failed to deliver on promises of security, economic stability, and social welfare.
According to the group, the South-West deserves a fresh political direction anchored on inclusivity, youth empowerment, and economic reforms that go beyond what they described as the “politics of entitlement” currently practiced by the ruling party.
“We are not intimidated by the APC structure in the South-West. Nigerians are tired of hardship and insecurity. By 2027, the people will demand new leadership, and Olawepo-Hashim represents that credible alternative,” said Comrade Akinwale Ojo, coordinator of the movement.
He explained that the group was already setting up committees in Lagos, Oyo, Osun, Ogun, Ondo, and Ekiti States to galvanize support among market women, artisans, youths, and professionals.
Another speaker at the event, Mrs. Funmilayo Adebisi, said the region could no longer afford to put “blind loyalty” to individuals above the welfare of the masses. “The APC may have incumbency advantage, but the people now want results, not slogans”.
Olawepo-Hashim, who contested the 2019 presidential election under the People’s Trust Party (PTP) and later joined the APC before withdrawing from frontline politics, has not officially declared his interest for 2027. However, his loyalists insist that his experience and pan-Nigerian outlook make him the best choice to lead the country.
Political analysts believe the development may signal an emerging opposition wave within the South-West, though they caution that challenging Tinubu’s APC in its stronghold will require more than rhetoric.
The APC leadership in the region is yet to respond to the statements from the Olawepo-Hashim camp.
