Nigeria gradually sliding back to Abacha era – Gbenga-Hashim

A chieftain of the Accord Party, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, says Nigeria is gradually sliding back into what he described as the dark days of the late General Sani Abacha era.

Olawepo-Hashim said this in a statement ahead of the Accord Party presidential primary scheduled for May 30, 2026.

He accusing powerful political forces of attempting to cripple opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, there were deliberate efforts by influential figures to weaken opposition platforms and prevent the emergence of credible challengers to the ruling establishment.

“Nigeria is being dragged back to the Abacha years,” he declared.

The former presidential candidate further accused a top chieftain within the Accord Party of allegedly orchestrating internal manoeuvres aimed at destabilising the party and frustrating its ability to field a presidential candidate.

He noted that the development bears striking similarities to the political climate during the Abacha era, when all registered political parties were aligned behind a single power structure.

“We are seeing a replay of history, when political parties became tools for a self-succession agenda,” he said.

The Kwara-born politician also linked the alleged plot to powerful figures within the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that the attempt to dominate the political space would ultimately fail.

“This coordinated plot by top officials will fail, just as the Abacha agenda failed,” Hashim stated.