The South West chapter of the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM) has declared that the region has already settled on Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim as its preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, stressing that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s recent overtures to the Yoruba people “carry little weight.”
Atiku, now in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), had earlier in the week assured the Yorubas that their interests would be central to his administration if elected president.
The former vice president cited his marital ties and personal relationships with the region, describing the South West as his “extended family” and dismissing fears of Fulani’s dominance as “unfounded.”
But reacting in Osogbo on Thursday, Alhaji Abass Olaniyi, the South West Coordinator of the GHSM, dismissed Atiku’s remarks as sentimental rhetoric that does not address the urgent needs of the Yoruba people or Nigerians at large.
“The South West is not swayed by mere words or emotional claims. Our people have always demanded leadership rooted in integrity, competence, and vision for a better Nigeria. That is why we stand firmly with Dr. Gbenga Hashim,” Olaniyi said.
According to him, Gbenga Hashim is more than a politician seeking office. He is a democrat with clean hands, a successful entrepreneur with global exposure, and a bridge builder capable of uniting both the North and South.
Olaniyi emphasized that Hashim’s Yoruba roots and national acceptability make him uniquely qualified to embody the region’s progressive values of justice, equity, and innovation, while also responding to national aspirations.
According to Olaniyi, “what more, Dr Hashim is running on the platform of a bigger politics, and the PDP, a platform bigger than Atiku’s ADC”
He further contrasted Hashim with Atiku, describing the former vice president as a representation of the “old order” in Nigerian politics.
“Our people do not just want promises about being ‘in-laws’ or part of an extended family. We want a leader who understands the complexities of today’s global economy, who can rebuild trust in governance, and who has the courage to reform Nigeria. Gbenga Hashim stands out as that leader,” he declared.
The GHSM South West Coordinator also urged Yoruba leaders, traditional rulers, civil society organizations, and youths to consolidate their support for Hashim, describing him as the candidate of conscience with the capacity to unite Nigeria, end insecurity, and revive the economy.
Olaniyi concluded by stating that the South West has a history of championing progressive ideals, and in 2027, that tradition will be upheld through unwavering support for Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim.
