A Peoples Democratic Party presidential aspirant, Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has dismissed the victories of the All Progressives Congress in Saturday’s Area Council elections in the Federal Capital Territory as a “political illusion.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission had declared the APC winners in five of the six chairmanship contests.
The APC won in Abuja Municipal, Abaji, Bwari, Kwali, and Kuje, while the PDP won the Gwagwalada Area Council.
Hashim, according to a statement on Thursday, spoke while addressing PDP stalwarts in Abuja.
At the meeting, party leaders and members reviewed the conduct and outcome of the polls across the six Area Councils in the FCT.
Olawepo-Hashim argued that many APC winners were long-time PDP members who switched allegiance, giving what he described as a misleading impression of APC dominance in the territory.
Hashim said, “In reality, the contest was PDP versus PDP. What we witnessed was the deployment of massive resources and state institutions to manufacture the appearance of competition.”
He, therefore, urged party members to remain united and focus on grassroots mobilisation, stressing that authentic political strength derives from popular support rather than manipulated outcomes.
“Authentic leadership cannot be imposed. It is built on the trust and will of the people,” Olawepo-Hashim stated.
The meeting drew PDP chairmen from the six Area Councils, ward chairmen, and members of the State Executive Committee.
FCT PDP Chairman, Ismail Dogara, and PDP Board of Trustees member, Isa Dobi, commended Olawepo-Hashim for his support of party candidates before and during the elections.
They also called for the release of party members reportedly detained by security agencies.
Dogara also moved a motion reaffirming the chapter’s support for Olawepo-Hashim’s 2027 presidential aspiration.
The motion was seconded by a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Isa Dobi, and received an endorsement from participants at the meeting.
Punch
