As the race for the 2027 presidential election gathers momentum, attention has largely focused on the familiar political heavyweights and the intrigues rocking the major parties. Yet, away from the headlines, one aspirant Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim is quietly positioning himself as a potential surprise contender, writes Chuks Okocha
While Nigeria’s major political parties have been consumed by internal crises, defections and leadership tussles ahead of the 2027 general election, one presidential hopeful quietly pursued his ambition away from public attention. Unlike many politicians eager to announce their platforms at the slightest opportunity, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim chose silence, keeping even his closest political associates guessing about the party on whose platform he intended to seek the presidency.
Even during an appearance on ARISE News, the anchor, Charles Aniagolu repeatedly pressed him to disclose the political party under which he planned to contest the 2027 presidential election. Olawepo-Hashim politely declined, insisting that the time was not yet right.
His explanation later was simple. According to him, the internal crises that engulfed the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) convinced him that premature disclosure of his political plans could expose his preferred platform to similar pressures.
