A former presidential candidate, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has urged any candidate that eventually wins the 2023 presidential race to commit to forming a Government of National Unity (GNU).
Olawepo-Hashim, who withdrew from the APC presidential ticket race for 2023, made the call in a statement titled, “Nigeria and the imperative of a national unity government” released today.
He asserted that none of the existing political parties has the capacity to win in more than three geographical zones of the country, hence a GNU was needed to set the nation on a path of peace and national cohesion.
“As the race toward the 2023 Presidential election gathers momentum, I wish to counsel that any candidate or party that wins the 2023 presidential election must commit to the formation of a Government of National Unity, GNU.
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“This is premised on the fact that none of the existing political parties has capacity to win in more than three geographical zone of the country. That will be a support base of less than half of the country. An indication of how divided we have become!
“The Government of National unity must be made up of credible Nigerians to unite the country and lay a new foundation for peace and progress.
“Regardless of who or what party wins the 2023 Presidential election, Nigeria must have in place a broad based, inclusive, National Unity government made up of essentially patriotic citizens to help construct a stable, secure, peaceful and united Nigeria that inspires hope where no section of the country will be left behind.
“The government must also be tasked to secure the nation and bring immediate relief to our suffering people whose welfare have been battered due to the un-abating multi-faceted social and economic crises they have faced. Now more than before this country needs collective leadership, not a leadership of “I” but a leadership of “us”,” Olawepo-Hashim said.
Olawepo-Hashim, who vied for the 2019 presidency on the platform of People’s Trust, said that having reviewed the economic blue prints contained in the manifestoes of some of the 2023 candidates, he was further convinced that mobilising for economic growth is an impossible task without peace, security and national cohesion.
“As of today, Nigeria is technically at war on multiple fronts and the solution requires a patriotic, and non-partisan approach to navigate its current existential crises, as it happened after the Nigeria civil war in 1970.
“We have been on this issue since 2019. The issue will be more in bold relief in 2023 as the political dashboard is indicating that none of the parties can win in more than three political zones at their very best.
“This could be an indication of a deepening post-election division.
“While I was withdrawing from the 2023 presidential race in May, I had hoped our party will be able to find a candidate for the 2023 election that will unite and secure our country, and lead an inclusive government, and build a prosperous economy that will not leave anyone behind.