Former presidential candidate and global businessman Gbenga Hashim has said that Nigeria can overcome its current economic challenges if the country is guided by responsible and visionary leadership.
Hashim made the remark while receiving grassroots leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party from the Federal Capital Territory at his office in Abuja.
The delegation included PDP chairmen from the 62 wards across the FCT, local government party chairmen from the six area councils and members of the State Working Committee. The group was led by the FCT PDP chairman Ismail Mohammed Dogara.
According to Hashim, poverty disease ignorance and unemployment should not be the normal condition of Nigerians because the country has previously enjoyed periods of economic prosperity.
“Poverty disease ignorance and unemployment are not normal conditions for Nigeria because this country has prospered before,” he said.
The party leaders said their visit was to appreciate Hashim for maintaining consistent engagement with grassroots members and to encourage him to remain active in strengthening the party ahead of future elections.
Hashim used the opportunity to call for unity within the party, saying all factions of the PDP must work together to rebuild the party’s strength.
“We will unite the PDP all the factions have agreed to work together,” he said.
He also urged party officials at the grassroots level to intensify mobilisation efforts, describing ward leaders as the commanders of the party structure whose role is vital for electoral success.
Earlier Dogara praised Hashim for maintaining close contact with party members at the grassroots level.
He noted that many presidential candidates rarely engage ward chairmen directly but commended Hashim for his humility and willingness to interact with local party leaders.
Hashim further stressed that Nigeria still has the human and natural resources needed to rebuild its economy. According to him the country once had a stronger economic position compared with nations that are now global economic powers.
He recalled that Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product in 1966 was higher than that of Malaysia and larger than Indonesia while in 1976 the country’s per capita income was significantly higher than that of China.
Hashim also referenced the industrial expansion in northern Nigeria during the First Republic under the leadership of Ahmadu Bello which helped transform Kaduna into a thriving textile manufacturing hub.
He concluded that Nigeria can revive its industrial base expand manufacturing and create jobs if the country adopts sound economic policies and purposeful leadership.
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