APC Described as 'Cult, Not a Political Party' by PDP Chieftain and Presidential Hopeful

Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, a presidential hopeful of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has criticized the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for lacking ideology, internal democracy, and a coherent vision for Nigeria's future. Hashim, who made these allegations in an interview on AIT Democracy Today and later at a session with journalists in Abuja, described the APC as a "cult, not a political party" due to its authoritarian nature and suppression of internal debates. He argued that the APC has presided over an unprecedented economic decline and expansion of insecurity in the country, citing a drop in Nigeria's GDP from over $570 billion in 2014 to less than $300 billion in 2025. Hashim also emphasized the importance of internal democratic processes in a political party, pointing to the recent show of solidarity in Zamfara, where PDP governors rallied behind the National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, as evidence of the party's consultative culture.

Key Takeaways:

• The APC has been described as a "cult, not a political party" by PDP chieftain Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim due to its authoritarian nature and lack of internal democracy.
• Hashim alleged that the APC has presided over an unprecedented economic decline, citing a drop in Nigeria's GDP from over $570 billion in 2014 to less than $300 billion in 2025.
• The PDP, on the other hand, has been described as Nigeria's "truly democratic party" where divergent views and internal debates shape decisions.
• Hashim cited the recent show of solidarity in Zamfara, where PDP governors rallied behind the National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum, as evidence of the party's consultative culture.
• Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim emphasized the importance of internal democratic processes in a political party, pointing to the PDP's history of subjecting its leaders to competitive primary elections.
• Hashim warned Nigerians to demand higher standards of political organization ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging them to insist on genuine democratic processes.

Statistics:

• Nigeria's GDP dropped from over $570 billion in 2014 to less than $300 billion in 2025 under APC leadership.
• The country's GDP per capita dropped from over $3,000 to below $1,000 under APC leadership.
• The APC has expanded insecurity from the North East to engulf the North West, North Central, and South East.
• Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim served as a NEC member in 1999 and witnessed the PDP's internal democratic contest in 2003.

Sources:

• Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim's interview on AIT Democracy Today
• Interactive session with journalists in Abuja over the weekend
• Zamfara show of solidarity where PDP governors rallied behind the National Chairman, Ambassador Umar Damagum