Olawepo-Hashim: My Political Ideology Differs From Obi, Atiku

Olawepo-Hashim: My Political Ideology Differs From Obi, Atiku

Accord Party presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has sought to distinguish his political philosophy from those of former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, saying the three politicians do not share the same political ideology.

Olawepo-Hashim’s position comes as political parties and opposition figures continue to realign ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with competing platforms emerging from the broader opposition movement.

The former presidential aspirant has repeatedly argued that Nigerian politics should be driven by clearly defined policies and ideology rather than alliances formed principally around personalities or the immediate objective of winning elections.

His comments also reflect his longstanding emphasis on economic policy, federalism, electoral reform, institutional governance and political restructuring.

Olawepo-Hashim has particularly used the issue of fuel subsidy removal to highlight differences between his position and that of Atiku.

He has criticised Atiku’s past position on petroleum subsidy and questioned subsequent calls for a targeted subsidy, arguing that politicians who change their positions on major economic policies should explain the reasons for such changes to Nigerians.

The Accord candidate has maintained that he opposed the removal of petroleum subsidy and believes government policy should take into account its effect on households, businesses and the productive economy.

Beyond subsidy policy, Olawepo-Hashim has argued that Nigeria’s political challenges cannot be resolved simply by changing the occupants of political offices.

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He has advocated stronger institutions and a more decentralised political system, while distinguishing federalism from the practice of rotating political offices among geopolitical zones.

His position on political restructuring has been a recurring feature of his public interventions, including his criticism of the country’s electoral system and the role of institutions in guaranteeing credible elections.

The politician has also become embroiled in a legal dispute over his status as the Accord Party presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

Following the publication of the final list of candidates, Olawepo-Hashim’s name was omitted. He subsequently maintained that he remained the party’s duly nominated candidate and that the dispute was before the courts.

He said he emerged from an Accord presidential primary held on May 30, 2026, which he said was monitored by electoral officials, and argued that an administrative decision could not finally determine a candidate’s eligibility where a court case was pending.

The development has added another dimension to the political contest involving Olawepo-Hashim and Accord as parties prepare for the 2027 election.

Meanwhile, the opposition landscape has continued to change following the formation of a coalition involving Atiku, Obi and other political figures.

Obi is now the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), while Atiku is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). The earlier coalition that brought the two politicians and other opposition leaders together has since developed into separate political platforms.

Olawepo-Hashim has therefore positioned his campaign separately from both politicians, stressing what he describes as differences in political philosophy and policy priorities.

His comments come against the backdrop of renewed efforts by opposition groups to build alliances ahead of the 2027 poll. However, disagreements over presidential candidates, party structures, zoning and policy positions have continued to shape the opposition landscape.

For Olawepo-Hashim, the distinction between his political approach and those of Obi and Atiku goes beyond party affiliation.

He has argued that Nigerians should assess political leaders based on their policy programmes, ideological positions, institutional reform proposals and approach to governance, rather than simply on the strength of political alliances.

His campaign has continued to focus on issues including economic restructuring, democratic reform, electoral credibility, federalism and strengthening institutions.

The differences he has highlighted between himself, Obi and Atiku are therefore part of his broader effort to establish a distinct political identity ahead of the 2027 Nigeria presidential election.

As the election approaches, the competing positions of opposition politicians are likely to remain a major feature of the political debate, particularly as parties continue negotiations and legal disputes over candidates and alliances.

Olawepo-Hashim: My Political Ideology Differs From Obi, Atiku