Former presidential aspirant Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim has accused elements within the All Progressives Congress (APC) of masterminding a renewed smear campaign against him through his estranged wife, describing the development as an attempt to damage his image ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strongly worded statement released on Thursday, Olawepo-Hashim alleged that his ex-wife’s recent media claims were coordinated by some political actors within the ruling party, whom he said had previously tried to undermine his 2019 presidential ambition.
“She had been recruited by elements around Buhari in the UK High Commission and the Nigerian Intelligence Agency (NIA). Apart from other sinister things they did, they tried to frame me up for funding terrorism. I was questioned in the UK and released when no evidence was found. She was the one who gave the information to the UK authorities,” he claimed.
The politician recounted that during the earlier episode, two of his oil assets were seized, leading to a lengthy legal battle that culminated in his favour. He referenced a 2020 judgment by the Federal High Court in Abuja, where Justice Taiwo Taiwo ruled that the government’s revocation of the Hely Creek and Abigborodo marginal oil fields was illegal and ordered that the properties be returned to his company, Transnational Energy Limited (TEL), with $20 million awarded as damages.
Olawepo-Hashim further alleged that his estranged wife’s divorce case in the United Kingdom was part of the broader political scheme against him, adding that she was “recruited by the then Deputy Director-General of the NIA, Air Force General Bello, who is her in-law.”
“She obtained an undefended divorce judgment in England in which she was awarded £18 million (about ₦36 billion), but the judgment was later annulled by a Nigerian court since our marriage was conducted under Nigerian law,” he explained.
He accused the APC operatives of funding and supporting his ex-wife, claiming they nominated her for several international grants aimed at women entrepreneurs.
“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.
The politician also dismissed reports of a new court order directing one of his firms to pay ₦300 million, calling it “an invention of an APC night court.”
“This is an act of desperation on their part, and it shows our message is biting them. Picking up stories from bitter women against opposition figures will not save the APC from imminent defeat in 2027,” he declared.
Olawepo-Hashim described his ex-wife as “a professional blackmailer and social climber who has made plenty of money from that trade,” insisting that her renewed public attacks are part of a calculated political distraction.
He concluded with a note of defiance, saying that no smear campaign would derail his political aspirations.
“Tales like this did not stop President Trump in America; they won’t stop us here either, by the grace of God,” he said.
