A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has warned that the South West region will not support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 if his administration continues on its current path.
Naija News reports that Olawepo-Hashim, a former presidential candidate, said it would be unjustifiable for the region to reward what he described as “failure in governance” with another term in office.
Speaking through the South West Coordinator of the Gbenga Hashim Solidarity Movement (GHSM), Alhaji Abass Olaniyi, in Ilorin, Kwara State, Olawepo-Hashim said the patience of Nigerians, particularly in the South West, is running thin.
“The South West will not back President Tinubu in 2027 if his administration does not change direction. Our people cannot be asked to reward failure with another term,” Olaniyi said.
According to him, the hardship being experienced across the country has eroded public confidence in the government’s policies and promises.
Naija News reports that Olaniyi’s comment comes in response to an appeal by political commentator Reno Omokri, who recently urged both the North and South West to unite behind President Tinubu for a second term.
Omokri had argued that just as the North supported former President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election in 2019 despite criticisms of his administration, the South West should show similar loyalty to Tinubu.
He claimed that Tinubu’s government had recorded progress in GDP growth and infrastructure development, insisting that continuity was crucial for economic stability.
However, Olawepo-Hashim’s camp dismissed Omokri’s argument as an attempt to manipulate public sentiment.
“Calls like that ignore the realities Nigerians are facing today. They are playing on regional sentiments instead of addressing competence and results,” Olaniyi said.
He noted that no amount of political persuasion or ethnic appeal could convince Nigerians to overlook the rising cost of living, job losses, and insecurity that have characterised Tinubu’s first years in office.
The PDP stalwart stressed that the next election would not be decided by emotional or regional loyalty but by the President’s performance.
He said, “Nigerians, especially in the South West, will decide based on performance and not sentiments in 2027. Our people are politically conscious and will not fall for propaganda.”
Olawepo-Hashim urged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to prioritise economic recovery, national unity, and good governance if it hopes to retain public trust before the next general election.
