By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Former presidential candidate Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has accused elements within the All Progressives Congress (APC) of sponsoring renewed allegations against him through his estranged wife, describing the move as part of a political smear campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement released on Thursday, Olawepo-Hashim alleged that the latest claims by his ex-wife in the media were being coordinated by the same political operatives who, he said, worked to frustrate his 2019 presidential ambition.
According to him, “She was recruited by elements around former President Muhammadu Buhari in the UK High Commission and the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA). Apart from other actions they took, they attempted to frame me for funding terrorism. I was questioned in the UK but released when no evidence was found. She was the one who gave the information to the UK authorities.”
The politician also claimed that the same group seized two of his oil assets during that period, forcing him into a lengthy legal battle. He recalled that in November 2020, the Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Taiwo Taiwo, restored the Hely Creek and Abigborodo marginal oil fields to his company, Transnational Energy Limited (TEL), after ruling that their revocation was illegal.
“The court also awarded $20 million in damages against the federal institutions involved,” he stated.
Olawepo-Hashim further alleged that his ex-wife’s legal actions in the United Kingdom were part of the same political scheme. He claimed she was “recruited by the then Deputy Director-General of the NIA, Air Force General Bello, who is her in-law.”
He explained that she obtained an undefended divorce judgment in England, which awarded her £18 million (about N36 billion). However, the judgment was later annulled by a Nigerian court since their marriage was contracted under Nigerian law.
“APC handlers funded her with millions of dollars, nominating her for several foreign grants for female entrepreneurs and start-up businesses. My lawyers have written to her several times to provide account details for the children’s upkeep, but she refused because she wants £18 million, not money for their welfare,” he said.
Olawepo-Hashim also accused his former wife of denying his family access to their children, describing her as “a serial blackmailer who has profited from such schemes.”
He maintained that the resurfacing of her allegations was politically motivated. “Now that the 2027 campaign season has begun, the same APC team has picked her up again, promoting her story through the media,” he said.
The former presidential candidate dismissed recent reports of a new court order directing one of his companies to pay N300 million, describing it as “an invention of an APC night court.” He added that no such legal process had been served on his legal team.
“This is an act of desperation on their part and shows that our message is resonating with the people. Fabricating stories from bitter individuals against opposition figures will not save the APC from defeat in 2027,” he declared.
Concluding, Olawepo-Hashim said, “Tales like this did not stop President Trump in America, and they won’t stop us here either, by the grace of God.”
