Only visionary leadership can revive Nigeria’s economy – Gbenga Hashim

By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — Former presidential candidate and global businessman, Gbenga Hashim, says Nigeria can overcome its current economic difficulties if the country is guided by responsible and visionary leadership.

“Poverty, disease, ignorance and unemployment are not normal conditions for Nigeria because this country has prospered before,” Hashim said.

The remarks came as grassroots leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Federal Capital Territory paid him a thank-you visit, reaffirmed their support for his political vision and pledged to intensify mobilisation within the party ahead of future elections.

Hashim spoke at his office in Abuja, during a meeting with PDP chairmen from the 62 wards across the FCT, local government party chairmen from the territory’s six area councils and members of the State Working Committee. The delegation was led by the FCT PDP chairman, Ismail Mohammed Dogara.

The party leaders said they came to appreciate his consistent engagement with grassroots members and to encourage him to remain actively involved in efforts to strengthen the party ahead of future political contests.

“We will unite the PDP; all the factions have agreed to work together,” Hashim said.

He also urged party officials at the grassroots level to strengthen mobilisation efforts, describing ward leaders as the ‘commanders’ of the party structure whose role is critical to electoral success.

Earlier, Dogara commended Hashim for maintaining close contact with party members across different levels of the party structure.

“Other presidential candidates hardly sit down with Ward Chairmen. You can see how Dr Hashim has humbled himself to engage with us at the grassroots,” he said.

Dogara also expressed confidence in the resilience of the Peoples Democratic Party, noting that despite internal challenges the party still possesses a strong nationwide structure capable of winning future elections.

Hashim said Nigeria still has the resources and human capital needed to rebuild its economy, stressing that the country’s current challenges can be reversed through sound policies and purposeful leadership.

He noted that Nigeria once enjoyed a strong and vibrant economy built on transparency, discipline and productive policies that allowed the country to compete favourably with other emerging economies.

Hashim added that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product in 1966 was double that of Malaysia and larger than Indonesia, while in 1976 the country’s per capita income was three times higher than that of China.

He also cited the industrial expansion recorded in the northern region during the First Republic as evidence of what determined leadership could achieve.

Hashim recalled that policies introduced by the late Northern Premier, Ahmadu Bello, transformed Kaduna into a thriving textile hub that provided employment for thousands of workers.

He said the experience shows that Nigeria still has the capacity to rebuild its industrial base, revive manufacturing and generate large-scale employment for its growing population.

Renewed calls for unity, stronger grassroots mobilisation and collective efforts to reposition the Peoples Democratic Party ahead of upcoming political contests marked the end of the meeting.

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