Coalition of youth leaders from the North Central region has formally endorsed businessman and veteran political activist, Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, as their preferred presidential candidate in 2027.
The endorsement was announced at a high-level press conference in Abuja by the Youth for the Actualization of North Central President (YANCP), a political movement that advocates for regional inclusion and generational renewal.
Speaking at the event, YANCP National Coordinator, Comrade Ibrahim Musa, described the endorsement as “a historic call for fairness,” insisting that the North Central region has contributed immensely to Nigeria’s political and economic development but has yet to produce an elected president.
“The North Central has bled, sacrificed, and stood firm at every critical juncture in Nigeria’s history,” Musa stated. “Yet we have remained sidelined when it comes to the ultimate leadership position. This injustice must end, and in Dr. Olawepo-Hashim, we have found the statesman to lead that charge.”
Dr. Olawepo-Hashim, a former presidential aspirant and prominent figure in Nigeria’s democracy movement, previously served as the Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He is widely regarded for his efforts in bridging regional, generational, and ideological divides within the nation’s political sphere.
YANCP’s National Secretary, Fatima Tanko, emphasized the group’s desire for transformational leadership, describing Hashim as a man of “intellectual depth, economic foresight, and moral clarity.”
“We are tired of recycled politics,” she declared. “Dr. Hashim is not just from the North Central, he is for all Nigerians.”
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Often referred to as Nigeria’s “Middle Belt,” the North Central zone includes states such as Kwara, Niger, Benue, Kogi, Plateau, and Nasarawa, as well as the Federal Capital Territory. The region is known for its ethnic and religious diversity and has produced several Senate Presidents and military leaders, but it has never produced an elected president since the return to democratic rule in 1999.
With the country facing economic challenges, regional discontent, and rising youth agitation, analysts say the YANCP’s early move could significantly influence the tone and alliances leading up to the 2027 polls. The coalition’s endorsement, backed by an increasingly digital-savvy youth demographic, is expected to spark broader national debates on zoning, equity, and the future of political leadership in Nigeria.
Political commentators note that while the 2027 elections remain two years away, the early momentum could offer Dr. Olawepo-Hashim a strategic advantage in building cross-regional support and consolidating a national movement around his candidacy.
For now, the message from the North Central is clear: the region is no longer content with being a political kingmaker. It wants to wear the crown.
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