A former member of the House of Representatives, Oladipupo Adebutu, on Sunday emerged as the 2027 governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State.
Adebutu, who was also the party’s governorship candidate in 2023, emerged as the consensus flag bearer of the opposition party during the governorship primary held in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Sunday.
The primary, which was conducted through voice affirmation by party members from the 20 local government areas and 236 wards of the state, was witnessed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Chairman of the PDP Governorship Primary Committee for the state, Afolabi Ariyo, led the party members in a voice vote affirming Adebutu as the party’s consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
Ariyo thereafter declared Adebutu the winner of the primary, having been elected by party members from the 236 wards of the state as the consensus governorship candidate.
In his acceptance speech, Adebutu hailed the party members for their large turnout and support, urging them to remain steadfast as the party is determined to send the APC out of power in the state in 2027.
He explained that although he was denied victory in the 2023 governorship election through what he described as manipulation, he was confident that the people’s votes would count in 2027.
Adebutu said the state had been under siege for about 15 years, accusing the APC of inflicting hardship on residents, adding that the ruling party must be voted out in 2027.
He said, “Dear party compatriots, the All Progressives Congress has been in government in Ogun State for over a decade and a half under different nomenclatures, holding our dear state under siege while our people groan under hardship.
“Whereas we live in abundance and surplus, and have been blessed with both natural and human resources, we are strategically and geographically positioned within the country.
“Yet, our state remains in dire need of competent leadership with ingenuity, purpose, and direction.
“Therefore, our collective responsibility now should be focused on returning our party to the seat of power in Oke-Mosan in order to rescue our people from suffering and maladministration.
“Thankfully, the PDP in Ogun State is more than ready to provide good governance for the rescue and development of our dear state. Our policy direction will be unveiled in due course.
“Fellow party members, I humbly accept this call to serve with an enormous sense of responsibility, knowing fully well that the 2027 election is a must-win for us to make yet another historic statement.
“Our victory lies largely in working together assiduously as one united party to convince the electorate that we are a better alternative to the failed APC administration.”
Speaking earlier, the state Chairman of the party, Abayomi Tella, said the large turnout of party members for the exercise confirmed that the opposition party remained strong and was ready to return to power in 2027.
Tella urged party members to remain united and work for the victory of the party ahead of the 2027 election.
Also speaking at the event, former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, described Adebutu as a political leader with the capacity to take Ogun State to greater heights, calling on party members to remain united and work together for the party’s victory in 2027.
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