Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, the Accord Party's presidential candidate, has disclosed that his father deliberately kept his Hausa and royal identity a secret for almost three decades. Olawepo-Hashim, grandson of the 40th Seriki of Yauri, revealed that his late father, Alhaji Hashim Abdullahi Yauri, took this decision after receiving a warning from an Islamic cleric about potential dangers within the royal family. The cleric advised Olawepo-Hashim's father against exposing his child's identity prematurely.
As a result of this decision, Olawepo-Hashim was relocated and raised in the Borgu Emirate under a different identity. Born Abdulmalik, he grew up in a Yoruba cultural environment, largely removed from his Hausa traditions and royal connections. For 27 years, Olawepo-Hashim lived without knowing the full circumstances surrounding his identity. His extraordinary story is detailed in Chapter 13 of his forthcoming autobiography, Sunrise at Midnight.
Olawepo-Hashim's father, Alhaji Hashim Abdullahi Yauri, was a highly influential police officer who rose to become a Police Commissioner and Commandant of the Police College, Kaduna. He was popularly known as "Zaki," the Lion, due to his courage, discipline, strength, and commanding personality. Olawepo-Hashim paid tribute to his late father, describing him as widely respected across Northern Nigeria.
Olawepo-Hashim was born in Yelwa, Yauri, in 1969, while his father was a young police officer. He subsequently grew up with the family of his stepfather, Julius Bamidele Olawepo. Olawepo-Hashim and his siblings recently marked the 30th anniversary of their father's passing with commemorative advertisements in major Nigerian newspapers.
Olawepo-Hashim's account also takes him further back into the history of his paternal family, to his grandfather, Seriki Abdullahi Jibril, popularly known as Maiy Yauri. He described his grandfather as one of the prominent traditional rulers of Northern Nigeria in his era, combining traditional authority with modern education, administration, and commerce.
According to Olawepo-Hashim, Seriki Jibril, the 40th ruler of Yauri, was distinguished by his knowledge of finance and trade, financial prudence, transparency, and commitment to education. Olawepo-Hashim's story highlights the complexities of his family's history and his own identity.
Olawepo-Hashim has previously spoken publicly about his unusual childhood. His forthcoming autobiography provides an account of his childhood, his father's decision, and the eventual discovery of the heritage that had been deliberately kept from him. The story of his father is inseparable from the story of his own identity.
Key points
- Dr. Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim's father hid his royal heritage for 27 years.
- Olawepo-Hashim's father was a highly influential police officer.
- Olawepo-Hashim's grandfather was a prominent traditional ruler in Northern Nigeria.
