‘Somebody Has To Stop This Mess’ – Olawepo-Hashim Accuses Politicians Of Benefitting From Insecurity

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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, has accused sections of Nigeria’s political elite of benefiting financially from the country’s prolonged insecurity.

Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Wednesday, Olawepo-Hashim alleged that “powerful individuals” across political divides are fueling instability through illicit economic activities tied to armed violence in the northern region.

“There are many members of the political elite on various sides profiting from the instability,”
he said.
“People are selling solid minerals in northern states without paying a dime to the federal government. Anywhere you find gold or lithium, you find bandits and arms. There’s business going on, and even factions within the military are involved.”

The PDP stalwart described the situation as a national tragedy, warning that unless decisive action is taken, criminality and state failure could deepen further.

“Somebody has to stop this mess right now. People are dying in their thousands. If Trump’s threat gives us the occasion to face this reality beyond rhetoric and politics, so be it,”
he added.

Government Failure and Foreign Policy Concerns

Olawepo-Hashim criticised the federal government’s handling of security and diplomacy, arguing that Nigeria’s institutions have collapsed under the weight of poor leadership.

He condemned the government’s diplomatic response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent comments on religious killings in Nigeria, saying the administration’s weak foreign engagement has eroded the nation’s credibility on the global stage.

“What shocks me is not Trump’s statement but the Nigerian government’s response,”
he stated.
“There were hearings in the U.S. Senate on these issues for years, yet Nigeria didn’t even have a functioning ambassador in the United States. They talk about using back channels, but that’s not how to conduct foreign relations.”

The PDP chieftain said that Nigeria, once respected as a stabilising power in West Africa, has lost its diplomatic footing.

“Nigeria used to be a stabilising force in West Africa, a reliable partner since our first UN peace mission in Congo. But under this administration, even the joint commissions with neighbouring countries like Niger have been paralysed for nearly a decade,”
Olawepo-Hashim lamented.

Rising Violence and Alarming Statistics

Citing both official and independent reports, Olawepo-Hashim said the rate of violent deaths has doubled under the current administration, accusing the government of ignoring data and failing to protect citizens.

“The statistics from the Federal Office of Statistics show that in the first half of 2025, the number of killings associated with kidnappings and violence has doubled compared to the entire year of 2024,”
he explained.

He also referenced a report by Amnesty International, noting that over 10,215 people have been killed in the last two years, with Plateau and Benue States accounting for about 80% of the deaths.

“Ordinarily, Nigerians don’t like foreign intervention. But the major point we must not lose sight of is that this is about killings in staggering numbers and the failure of leadership to offer protection for the people — whether they are Muslims, Christians, or animists,”
he added.

“I’m Not Playing Politics” – Olawepo-Hashim

The PDP leader rejected claims that his remarks were politically motivated, stressing that his concern was humanitarian, not partisan.

“I am not a regular politician,”
he said.
“I’m from the North-Central, where 80% of the victims come from. What is important to me is how to stop the killings right now, not next year.”

Olawepo-Hashim urged both federal and state authorities to confront the root causes of insecurity, including illegal mining, arms proliferation, and corruption in the security sector.

Context

Nigeria has been grappling with a surge in violence across multiple fronts — from banditry in the North-West to communal clashes in the North-Central and terrorist attacks in the North-East. Despite repeated assurances from government officials, security experts say progress remains slow, with weak intelligence coordination, limited accountability, and poor resource management among the key challenges.