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Tag: Olawepo-Hashim

  • Insecurity: I’ll create national guard, says Olawepo-Hashim

    PEOPLE’S Trust (PT) presidential candidate Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has unveiled plan to establish National Guard to contain internal security threats, if elected President in 2019

    Speaking in an interview at the weekend, Olawepo Hashim chided the All Progressives Congress (APC) administration for failing to contain internal security breaches, promising that he would overhaul the security architecture to make Nigeria a safer place for all.

    Olawepo-Hashim stressed that “security is not just a question of spending bigger budgets; it is about having the right structures and strategies”.

    “As it is, the armed forces is over-stressed and distracted by deployments for internal security operations. I think it is time for Nigeria to have a National Guard. I’m going to put up a National Guard as a President. My reasons and justifications are self-evident. Our internal security questions have graduated to the level of insurrection. We are now having well-trained militias, perhaps having more training than the police but probably, you may not need full scale military action to handle them.

    “That is what a National Guard job is, an intermediate force between the regular armed forces and the police. Nigeria needs a well-trained intermediate force that is going to act between the Army and the police, which is the National Guard…”

  • 2019: Olawepo-Hashim vows to heal wounds of Biafra

    •Pledges to create another state in S/East

    The presidential candidate of the People’s Trust (PT) in the February elections, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo Hashim has promised to introduce far reaching measures aimed at healing the wounds inflicted on the Southeast by the civil war.

    These include the creation of an additional state in the geo-political zone.

    Hashim spoke in Enugu on Thursday while interacting with various groups, stakeholders and community leaders in the zone as a prelude to his nationwide campaign.

    Nigeria, according to him, is currently not what many had envisaged it to be.

    He said his presidency would work for true unity in the country bring about harmony among the various divides.

    Hashim said if elected president, he would create a legislative framework within six months for the creation of one more state in the Southeast, so that the region would be on the same footing with the rest of the country.

    “2019 election is going to be an unusual election, in the sense that it is almost a referendum on the future of Nigeria, on its peace and stability, on its security, on its continuity and of course, most importantly, about the prosperity of Nigeria,” he said.

    “The Southeast zone is very crucial. The way we handle issues that affect us and are germane to the people would determine whether we will continue to live in unity and peace as an indivisible entity.

    “And of course, there have been a lot of wounds in this part of Nigeria. People carry a lot of wounds. Just like a lot of communities in Nigeria and states also carry some kinds of wounds. But there is no other place in Nigeria where these wounds are so deep as we have it in the Southeast.”

    He said his candidature was committed to uniting Nigeria and reconciling the people so that they could face the task of national development without any handicap.

    The presidential candidate equally assured that his administration would decentralize power in the country within six months by amending the exclusive and the concurrent legislative lists of the constitution to ensure that states have a greater role in resource mobilization and deployment .

    Apart from the Southeast, Hashim noted that Nigeria needs security urgently now that out of the 19 northern states, only six currently enjoy some level of stability.

     

  • 2019: Olawepo Hashim vows to heal wounds of Biafra

    The People’s Trust (PT) presidential candidate in the forthcoming 2019 election, Mr.Gbenga Olawepo Hashim assured South Easterners that he would implement measures that will heal the pains felt people of the region and make Nigeria truly united.

    He also promised to create an additional state in the Southeast  if Nigerians elect him as their president in February 2019.

    Hashim who was in Enugu on Friday where he met with various groups in preparation of his nationwide campaign told the people that Nigeria was not what many had envisaged but his presidency would surely bring unity and harmony among the various divides.

     

    Hashim also consulted with stakeholders and community leaders in the South East geo-political zone.

     

    According to him, there was the need for equity in the Nigerian federation.

     

    He observed that only the South East has five states, out of the six geopolitical zones in the country, when others have at least six states.

     

    Hashim said if elected president, he would create a legislative framework within six months for the creation of one more state in the South East, so that the region would be in the same footing with the rest of the country.

     

    “2019 elections is going to be an unusual election, in the sense that it is almost a referendum on the future of Nigeria, on its peace and stability, on its security, on its continuity and of course, most importantly, about the prosperity of Nigeria.

     

    “The South East zone is very crucial. The way we handle issues that affect us and are germane to the people would determine whether we will continue to live in unity and peace as an indivisible entity.

     

    “And of course, there have been a lot of wounds in this part of Nigeria. People carry a lot of wounds. Just like a lot of communities in Nigeria and states also carry some kinds of wounds. But there is no other place in Nigeria where these wounds are so deep as we have it in the South East of Nigeria,” Hashim said.

     

    He said his ticket was committed to uniting Nigeria and reconciling the people so that they could face the task of national development  without any handicap, noting  that as long as any section in Nigeria feels they were conquered people, so would the difficult task of nation building becomes more challenging.

     

    He said he came to the South East to tell the people that there is a presidential candidate who is irrevocably committed to healing the wounds of the region.

     

    The youthful presidential candidate equally assured that his administration would decentralize power in the country within six months by amending the exclusive and the concurrent legislative lists to ensure that states have greater role in resource mobilization and deployment .Apart from the South East, Hashim noted that Nigeria needs security urgently now that out of the 19 northern states, only six currently enjoy some level of stability.

     

    “One of the reasons why killings go on endlessly in Nigeria is the fact that nobody is brought to book when they commit murder. That is why some say the lives of Nigerians have become so cheap. Under our presidency, the life of every Nigerian will count equal,” Hashim said.

  • 2019: Olawepo Hashim vows to heal Biafra wounds

    It was jubilation galore in Enugu, South Eastern Nigeria on yesterday when the People’s Trust (PT) presidential candidate in the forthcoming 2019 election, Mr.Gbenga Olawepo Hashim assured South Easterners that he would bring in measures that would heal their pains and make Nigeria truly united.

    He also promised to create an additional state in the Southeast if Nigerians elect him as their president in February 2019. Hashim, who was in Enugu where he met with various groups in preparation of his nationwide campaign, told the people that Nigeria was not what many had envisaged but his presidency would surely bring unity and harmony among the various divides.

    Hashim also consulted with stakeholders and community leaders in the South East geo-political zone. According to him, there was the need for equity in the Nigerian federation. He observed that only the South East has five states, out of the six geopolitical zones in the country, when others have at least six states. Hashim said if elected president, he would create a legislative framework within six months for the creation of one more state in the South East, so that the region would be in the same footing with the rest of the country.

    “2019 election is  going to be an unusual election in the sense that it is almost a referendum on the future of Nigeria, on its peace and stability, on its security, on its continuity and of course, most importantly, about the prosperity of Nigeria. “The South East zone is very crucial.

    The way we handle issues that affect us and are germane to the people would determine whether we will continue to live in unity and peace as an indivisible entity. “And of course, there have been a lot of wounds in this part of Nigeria. People carry a lot of wounds. Just like a lot of communities in Nigeria and states also carry some kinds of wounds. But there is no other place in Nigeria where these wounds are so deep as we have it in the South East of Nigeria,” Hashim said. He said their ticket was committed to uniting Nigeria and reconciling the people so that they could face the task of national development  without any handicap. He noted that as long as any section in Nigeria feels they were conquered people, so would the difficult task of nation building becomes more challenging.

    He said he came to the South East to tell the people that there is a presidential candidate who is irrevocably committed to healing the wounds of the region.  The youthful presidential candidate equally assured that his administration would decentralize power in the country within six months by amending the exclusive and the concurrent legislative lists to ensure that states have greater role in resource mobilization and deployment. Apart from the South East, Hashim noted that Nigeria needs security urgently now that out of the 19 northern states, only six currently enjoy some level of stability.

    “One of the reasons why killings go on endlessly in Nigeria is the fact that nobody is brought to book when they commit murder. That is why some say the lives of Nigerians have become so cheap. Under our presidency, the life of every Nigerian will count equal,” Hashim said.

  • AD presidential candidate steps down for Olawepo-Hashim

    ALLIANCE for Democracy (AD) presidential candidate Prince Eniola Ojajuni has officially stepped down for the People’s Trust (PT) presidential candidate, Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim.

    This came as discussions with over 20 political parties heightened in Abuja and other state capitals over the weekend.

    Olawepo-Hashim’s Chief Press Secretary Mr. Hassan Ibrahim said Ojajuni promised to work assiduously for the success of the PT candidate in 2019.

    He called on his teeming supporters and party members to rally round Olawepo-Hashim in his quest towards occupying the presidency in 2019.

    Ojajuni stepped down for Olawepo-Hashim after due consultations with the AD national leaders, governorship candidates, House of Assembly, Senate and House of Representative candidates in over 18 states and other support groups across the country.

    Ojajuni admitted it was a difficult decision to make because of his love and patriotism for Nigeria.

    He, therefore, used the medium to appreciate Nigerian youths that have been supportive of his bid from the beginning of the race and vowed to keep fighting for a new Nigeria.

    He hailed Olawepo-Hashim for his doggedness, intelligence and capabilities, which deemed him fit to champion the cause for a new Nigeria.

    He described him as a man of his words, full of passion and intelligence, which gave him an edge over his opponents.

    Also, Ojajuni pleaded with his supporters across the country and other well-meaning Nigerians that desired a better Nigeria to support and vote massively for Olawepo-Hashim, who he endorsed as the man of integrity, passion and full of rich ideas.

    He promised that he would support him through the campaign until success is accomplished.

    Olawepo-Hashim, who expressed delight over the development, welcomed the declaration and prayed for a harmonious working relationship with Ojajuni and his team in the quest towards providing a credible leadership in 2019.

    Discussions with other political parties have reached an advanced stage nationwide, which is expected to culminate in the collapse of these political structures into Olawepo-Hashim’s People’s Trust.

  • PT ‘ll resist attempts to turn Nigeria into two-party state, says Olawepo-Hashim

    THE Peoples Trust (PT) will resist the attempts by some dominant political forces to turn Nigeria into a two-party state, its presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, said yesterday.

    Olawepo-Hashim, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Hassan Ibrahim, said the party was aware of some subterranean moves by certain forces to strangulate the emerging political parties and turn Nigeria into a two-party state.

    The candidate of the Third Force Movement said any attempt to turn the hand of Nigeria’s democratic progress backward and curtail the fundamental rights of the people to associate freely would be resisted squarely.

    He said: “There is no democracy in the world where choices are restricted to one or two parties. Even in the United States of America, where you have two dominant parties, there is multiplicity of parties that are allowed to participate in the process.

    “The PT is the biggest of all the new political parties according to data from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and we insist on being allowed to blossom and fulfill the yearnings of the Nigerian people, who are certainly fed up with a lack of vision, passion and direction for the development of the people.

    “Many of the actors in the political scene today, who are outside the two dominant parties fought vigorously to ensure respect for fundamental rights of association of Nigerians.”

    He stated that the forces seeking to return Nigerian to a two-party state had perfected their acts through the exclusion of several emerging parties at the just concluded Vice Presidential debates held by the Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON).

    He stated: “2019 will not be a choice between corruption and ineptitude. The PT is determined that despite attempts to make it look like that, the 2019 election will not be a choice between the PDP, which has been variously accused of corruption and the APC, which symbolises administrative ineptitude and economic failure.

    “The vast majority of Nigerians still continue to search for credible alternatives to the two political parties in spite of limited resources at the disposal of the multiple alternative platforms.

    “Through massive media propaganda, a gang of Nigeria’s parasitic elite, who have fed fat on the Nigerian state have tried to ensure that political clime is narrowed to the two incompetent behemoth like the APC and PDP.”

    Olawepo-Hashim added: “The PT is at the vanguard of ensuring that the Nigerian electorate gets credible alternative in 2019, as it has instituted the consolidation of various alternative platforms, even as it is daily receiving support from presidential candidates, aspirants and parties.

    “We are already seeing some propaganda items in some newspapers questioning whether we should even have more than these two parties in the country at all and advocating for a constitutional amendment to legislate the alternative platforms out of existence.

    “We want to remind the authors of such anti-democratic thoughts that the right to a pluralistic democracy was won through hard struggle and cannot be taken away by the wishful thinking of some politicians and their ilk in some corrupt media establishments.”

     

  • 2019: Olawepo-Hashim leads Atiku, Buhari in social media engagements

    THE weekly Facebook rating of presidential candidates has delivered a major upset as Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim of People’s Trust (PT) has overtaken Atiku Abubakar of People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

    In the data released yesterday in Abuja, Olawepo-Hashim recorded Facebook engagements of 28,000+ and Abubakar had 24,000+.

    President Muhammadu Buhari and candidate of the All Progressive Congress in the scheduled February 16, 2019 poll, recorded 16,000+ engagements.

    Kingsley Moghalu, Fela Durotoye and the other presidential candidates were trailing far below with single digit ratings.

    Last week data saw the PT’s candidate overtaking Buhari.

    Abubakar was trailing the President two weeks ago, but had displaced the President in last week’s data with Olawepo-Hashim in hot pursuit.

    In the last three weeks, the PT’s candidate had moved from third position to second and now to first based on engagement figures generated from the direct campaign handles of the three candidates.

    Data analysts involved in the polling project said the data on each of the candidates’ were realistic because “Facebook represents the broad spectrum of voters who will vote in the February poll.”

    According to them, “increasing engagements imply voters’ growing interest in the candidates while a decreasing result reflects voters’ disenchantment. A static return means a candidate at a crossroads in the campaign.”

    The analysts said in their report that Olawepo-Hashim’s growing engagement rating was a measure of voters’ interest in him as a third force alternative.

    “He is no longer part of the pack of third party candidates. He has moved ahead to emerge as a real alternative to both Buhari and Atiku. This is a game changer from data perspective,” according to the lead analyst for the project, Segun Seriki.

     

  • Electoral Act: Olawepo-Hashim accuses PDP, APC of playing pranks

    Peoples Trust (PT) presidential candidate Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim yesterday accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of playing pranks due to their hypocritical commitment to the proposed Electoral Act.

    He accused both parties of playing politics with the nation’s stability with their handling of constitutional issues.

    Olawepo-Hashim, whose party has been described as the third force, said the PDP and APC presidential candidates are obsessed with immediate partisan gains, instead of acting as statesmen.

    He spoke with reporters in Lagos on the president’s refusal assent to the amendment bill, which he recalled, was passed by the PDP-controlled National Assembly.

    Olawepo-Hashim said: “The President is conducting himself like a typical Nigerian politician of the era of political decline, rather than behaving as a patriot that I have always thought he is. By his actions, he is simply saying let me benefit from the process for my 2019 bid. You can push for the new law in 2023 when I will not be contesting.”

    The PT flag bearer noted that the PDP-led legislature had ample time to correct the perceived lacuna in the electoral act, which they had created in the first instance, but chose to distract the polity.

    He added: “In the task of nation building, political leaders sometimes have to rise above the fray and take decisions in the national interest, even when it does not seem to benefit from it. Some of us did this before. In 2000, when some of our colleagues wanted to change our two-year tenure to four years, I led the opposition to this, even though I would have been a beneficiary of that exercise as a National Executive Committee (NEC) member.”

    Olawepo-Hashim urged the electorate not to be discouraged from participating in next year’s polls.

    He said: “Since what I can call the “garrison” election in Osun State and the unfortunate refusal of assent to the Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill, the APC has been trying to spread fear in the hearts of would-be voters that their votes will not count.”

  • 2019: Olawepo-Hashim in neck and neck against Buhari, Atiku, says social media data

    OF the 73 presidential candidates for 2019 race, three are neck and neck in social media engagements by Nigerians, new social media data have indicated.

    According to the data, distilled from Facebook in particular, in the last 72 hours, the trio of Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abubakar Atiku of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim of the People’s Trust (PT) are in the frontline in that order.

    The data revealed a new development in the race as Olawepo-Hashim has surpassed other third force contenders to emerge the closest challenger to Buhari and Atiku.

    The news came as Action Democratic Party (ADP) presidential candidate Mathias Baba Tsado yesterday suspended his ambition to support Olawepo-Hashim.

    Tsado said he decided to sacrifice his personal ambition due to his strong conviction for the PT candidate.

    Speaking during a briefing in Abuja, he described the gesture as a milestone and a new agenda for the country.

    Olawepo-Hashim, in his remarks, said he had been in discussion with 20 political parties, who have already pledged to work together to beat the All Progressive Congress (APC) and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that the parties will be made public soon.

    The other 70 candidates were far behind the three leading candidates, especially on Facebook engagements where the bulk of Nigerians voters are known to be actively involved.

    Facebook was used for the rating as it represents a diversity of active voters across the occupational and professional lines.

    Facebook’s geographical spread and acceptability also make it a good tool.

    While Buhari and Atiku are leading, their engagement figures have been going down in the last few hours.

    Olawepo-Hashim’s figure is, however, on the rise while other third force candidates are far below the top contenders in the rating.

    Specifically, the likes of Oby Ezekwezili, Kingsley Moghalu, Fela Durotoye and others recorded very low engagements from Nigerian Facebook users, which measure how voters interact with candidates on their personal campaign pages.

    Segun Asaolu of Public Opinion poll, affiliated with NOI polls, said the use of data from Facebook added a level of credibility to the rating ,adding “on Facebook, you have the real voters-artisans as well as professionals.

  • Olawepo-Hashim urges politicians to stop politicising killings in Northeast

    PEOPLE’S Trust (PT) presidential candidate Mr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has advised politicians to rise above partisan fray in their reactions to the killings of troops in the Northeast region.

    According to a statement by Mr. Hassan Ibrahim, his spokesman, Olawepo-Hashim, who is regarded as a third force in emerging political calculations, said instead of politicising the sad event, politicians should seek a cross-party and consensual approach in dealing with the national scourge.

    The upbeat candidate, who was lately endorsed by women in the Southwest region, stressed that it was time politicians desist from matters that could affect national security.

    “National security is not supposed to be a partisan issue. It is a matter for the collective, because if there is no security, there cannot be politics and nationhood,” he noted.

    Olawepo-Hashim regretted the killings of Nigerian troops, observing that the troops were heroes, who laid their lives protecting their fatherland.

    The statement said the presidential candidate condoled with the government and people of Nigeria on the death of the gallant soldiers and all others who have lost their lives in recent days in different parts of the country.

    He prayed for the repose of their souls and for the quick recovery of the injured.

    When elected as President in 2019, the statement added that the candidate promised to improve on the security situation in the country within 90 days, ahead of the development of completely new security architecture.

    He said: “The objective of this will be to upgrade telecommunication, military hardware, training, welfare of personnel, etc. Above all, there will be the need to address the root causes of insurgency, and security challenges such as kidnapping, communal killings, clashes between herdsmen and farmers, pipeline vandalism, etc.”

    Olawepo-Hashim, however, hailed the reported move to assist the families of the late soldiers as timely, adding that it is consistent with international best practices.