2027: Olawepo-Hashim Accuses APC of Orchestrating Smear Campaign

Former presidential candidate and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has accused some political figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of sponsoring a fresh smear campaign against him ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement released in Kaduna, Olawepo-Hashim alleged that his former wife’s recent media claims were part of a coordinated effort by political elements within the APC to tarnish his image. He linked the alleged plot to the same group that, he said, worked to frustrate his presidential ambition in 2019.

“She was recruited by elements around Buhari in the UK High Commission,” he claimed. “At the time, they tried to frame me for funding terrorism. I was questioned in the UK but released when no evidence was found. She was the one who provided the information to the UK authorities.”

The PDP stalwart further alleged that the same network illegally seized two of his oil assets, which led to a prolonged legal battle.

He recalled that in November 2020, the Federal High Court, Abuja, presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, restored the Hely Creek and Abigborodo marginal oil fields to his company, Transnational Energy Limited (TEL), after ruling that their earlier revocation was unlawful. The court also awarded $20 million in damages against the government institutions involved.

Olawepo-Hashim also dismissed his ex-wife’s legal claims in the UK as part of the broader campaign against him. According to him, she obtained an undefended divorce judgment in England awarding her £18 million (about ₦36 billion) a verdict later annulled by a Nigerian court since the marriage was contracted under Nigerian law.

He further alleged that APC operatives funded her with millions of dollars, nominating her for international grants and business support schemes. “My lawyers have written to her several times to provide account details for the children’s upkeep, but she refused because she wants £18 million, not money for their welfare,” he said.

Olawepo-Hashim added that his former wife had denied his family access to their children, insisting that the revived allegations were politically motivated to undermine his 2027 ambitions.

“Now that the 2027 campaign has begun, the same APC team has picked her up again, pushing her story in the media,” he alleged.

He also refuted reports of a ₦300 million court order against one of his companies, describing it as “an invention of an APC night court,” and maintained that no such process had been served on his legal team.

“This act of desperation only shows that our message is resonating with Nigerians,” he said. “Picking stories from bitter women to attack opposition figures will not save the APC from defeat in 2027.”

Comparing the attacks to similar experiences abroad, Olawepo-Hashim concluded, “Tales like this did not stop President Trump in America; they won’t stop us here either, by the grace of God.”