Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim is enjoying growing goodwill in Kaduna, the heartbeat of Northern politics, as the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Edward Percy Masha, declared that only a coalition led by the PDP can successfully unseat the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.

Masha made the assertion on Wednesday while receiving members of the Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim Solidarity Movement (GOH-Front) in their thousands, at the party’s Secretariat in Kaduna.

The group stormed the political capital of Northern Nigeria to press for the reversal of PDP’s zoning of its presidential ticket to the South.

Addressing journalists after receiving the group’s petition, the PDP Chairman maintained that while alliances were welcome, only the PDP had the national spread and structure to mount a serious challenge to the APC.

“Coalitions are welcome, but no party has structure across the country more than PDP. Take it or leave it, PDP is the only party that can provide that kind of structure,” he said.

He noted that Nigerians had become disillusioned with the APC after years of economic hardship and worsening living conditions, adding that the ruling party’s popularity had collapsed nationwide.

“Any reasonable Nigerian knows the people are not happy with this system. We were told to be patient with Buhari for eight years. Now the same people are telling us to be patient again under Tinubu. No Nigerian wants to hear APC’s name anywhere,” he said.

The PDP Chairman lamented that many families could no longer feed properly or afford school fees, stressing that voters would punish the APC at the polls.

“Today, how many Nigerians can feed themselves even twice daily? Look at prices in the market compared to two years ago. The economy is bad, the cost of living is high. Nigerians will not reward APC with another term,” he added.

Masha also predicted that the party’s forthcoming National Convention on November 15 and 16 would be a watershed moment, attracting returnees and re-energizing the PDP ahead of 2027.

“When credible leaders emerge after the convention, you will see a lot of permutations. Those who left PDP will return, and even some from the ruling party will come back. Once that happens, no one will be able to stop it,” he assured.

On the NEC’s decision to zone the presidential ticket to the South, Masha reiterated that zoning did not preclude any aspirant from contesting.

“That is the NEC decision and I cannot go against it. But it was also clearly stated that zoning does not preclude anybody who intends to contest. So the field is still open for anyone with the capacity and interest,” he clarified.

Earlier, the State Coordinator of GOH-Front, Hon. Aliyu Mohammed (Achili), who led the delegation, argued that restricting the ticket to the South could weaken PDP’s chances against the APC.

“The presidential ticket should be left open to each and every Nigerian who is a loyal member of this party and capable of contesting. That is the only way PDP will be stronger,” he said.

He explained that as an opposition party, the PDP must focus on exploiting the ruling APC’s weaknesses rather than limiting its options.

“We don’t have to think like the ruling party. We must look at their loopholes and take back our mandate. That is why we are appealing for a reversal,” Mohammed added.

He confirmed that the petition was received by the State Chairman, who promised to transmit it to the national leadership for consideration.

Meanwhile, observers note that Olawepo-Hashim’s message of inclusivity and national renewal is resonating widely in Kaduna, a State long considered the barometer of Northern politics, where his grassroots appeal is steadily gaining momentum among party stakeholders.

Recall that during the recent Maulud celebration at the Murtala Muhammad Square in Kaduna, hundreds of Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim’s supporters were visibly on ground, waving his posters and chanting solidarity songs. They affirmed their unalloyed support for the Kebbi-born politician, predicting that he would emerge as the next occupant of the Presidential Villa in 2027 once the PDP adopts him as its candidate.