Gbenga Hashim, a presidential candidate running on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform, resigned from the party due to what he called growing internal strife and failed attempts at reconciliation.
According to reports, Hashim announced his resignation in a letter dated April 4, 2026, addressed to the PDP Chairman of Usuma Ward in the Federal Capital Territory’s Bwari Area Council. The letter stated that the decision will take effect immediately.
The former PDP Deputy National Publicity Secretary said in the letter that the party had been plagued by an ongoing crisis for more than a year, which had caused opposing groups to arise inside its structure.
He characterized the state of affairs as a significant blow to the party’s cohesion and efficacy as an opposition platform.
He claimed that the PDP has been experiencing “persistent and unending crises,” which caused the party to split into two main factions.
Hashim revealed that he and other party stakeholders had made multiple attempts to mend fences and bring the party back together.
He bemoaned the failure of the reconciliation efforts to end the conflict, nevertheless. He claimed that the party’s cohesiveness and power as a national political force have been eroded by the persistent divisions.
The former PDP leader claimed that the party’s internal strife seemed to be partially planned to hurt the party’s prospects in the run-up to the 2027 national elections.
He claimed that the circumstances might make it impossible for the PDP to field qualified candidates or turn it into a mere supporter of the current administration.
He declared, “I cannot, in good conscience, participate in acts that compromise democratic values.”
Hashim went on to say that he would be betraying his personal beliefs if he stayed in such a political setting.
The politician also voiced concerns about Nigeria’s current socioeconomic circumstances, pointing to the nation’s economic suffering, insecurity, and fatalities.
He claimed that staying in a political setup that seems to justify the existing state of affairs would be at odds with his values.
Hashim called the PDP’s current situation “disappointing,” attributing its downfall from what he described as a once-powerful political party to internal conflicts and selfish ambitions.
He declared that he will now collaborate with other patriotic Nigerians to stop the formation of a one-party state and assist in the creation of a new political system that prioritizes economic growth, justice, and security.
