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…Says political gang-up is unnecessary
Former presidential candidate and businessman, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has asserted that individuals who rely on political godfathers are unfit to lead Kwara State, warning against any attempt to reverse the state’s hard-won democratic gains.
Speaking during an interactive session with representatives of selected radio stations in Ilorin, who paid him a courtesy visit as part of this year’s Easter celebrations, Hashim emphasized the need to safeguard Kwara’s political independence.
“Kwara has successfully fought for its liberation, and no one should take us back to a time when people were not free to exercise their political agency,” he said.
According to him, the Otoge movement was never about individuals, but about dismantling entrenched godfatherism and restoring power to the people.
“What we fought for was to end godfatherism, where someone seeking public office, without any plan or program, hides behind another person in the name of loyalty,” he declared.
He stressed that true leadership must be rooted in vision, competence, and a well communicated agenda.
“Anyone who can’t articulate a clear plan or communicate their vision to the people is not qualified to lead. If your only claim is loyalty to another individual, then you are automatically disqualified,” he added.
Olawepo-Hashim encouraged capable and forward thinking individuals to step forward and contribute to Kwara’s continued development, cautioning against a return to political mediocrity.
He also condemned what he described as a coordinated political gang up against the current administration by actors lacking substance and vision.
“There’s nothing to gang up against,” he said. “If you believe you have what it takes to lead, come out clean. Declare the office you seek, present your plans and vision, and let the people judge your worthiness.”
In conclusion, he called for a shift from personal allegiances to issue based politics, noting that “There’s no need to gang up against anyone. Kwara is already liberated.”
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