The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday officially commenced its campaign for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election, with thousands of party supporters and residents converging on the Ake Palace Pavilion in Abeokuta.
The campaign flag-off attracted party leaders, supporters and indigenes from across the state, with the crowd defying a heavy downpour to accompany the PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, and his running mate, Yemi Showunmi-Kolapo, to the venue.
The procession began from the PDP Secretariat in Abeokuta, where supporters had gathered to receive Adebutu, Showunmi-Kolapo, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo and other party leaders.
The campaign convoy moved through the streets amid singing, dancing and the waving of PDP flags and banners bearing the images of the candidates.
The large crowd caused significant traffic congestion along the route, while security operatives struggled to manage the growing number of people attempting to enter the campaign venue.
Street traders and passersby also waved at the procession as supporters continued their march despite the rain.
Addressing the gathering in a speech titled “A Call to Liberation”, Adebutu urged Ogun voters to remove the All Progressives Congress (APC) from power in 2027, promising to introduce policies that would improve living conditions and ensure residents benefit from democratic governance.
Adebutu accused the current administration of non-performance, corruption and misgovernance, urging voters to support the PDP as an alternative.
He also called on residents to vote for the party on February 6, 2027, and protect their votes against intimidation.
According to him, his administration would focus on a resilient economy and a corruption-free working environment, among other priorities.
He listed security, local government autonomy, regional development, physical planning and transportation, rural and urban development, agriculture and economic development among the key areas of his proposed administration.
Other priorities, he said, would include the development of women, youths and sports, as well as improvements in education, healthcare and social services.
Adebutu also promised that political affiliation would not determine residents’ access to government opportunities and services.
“Immediately we have been voted in, workers and pensioners will get their entitlements. We will stop the double taxation currently choking our market women and other traders. We will never surrender our heritage to those who will destroy it,” he said.
His running mate, Showunmi-Kolapo, similarly assured residents of quality leadership, saying she was encouraged by the determination of supporters who remained at the venue despite the downpour.
She promised that poverty and what she described as maladministration would be tackled if the PDP wins the election.
Showunmi-Kolapo also declared that Adebutu’s time had come to govern Ogun, urging the people to support the ticket.
“Former governors Ibikunle Amosun, Osoba, Gbenga Daniel have governed Ogun, among others. The Adebutu family has been supporting and empowering the people of Ogun State.
“We want to tell the governor (Dapo Abiodun) that he should release the governorship seat, it’s Adebutu’s turn,” she said.
The Ogun PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, called on voters to support Adebutu, saying the party would reciprocate their support with basic social amenities and improved governance.
Tella also urged residents to emulate the political mobilisation witnessed during the recent Osun governorship election and ensure that their votes count.
However, his remarks included a reference to the candidate’s perceived geographical background, when he told supporters that the party would not allow an “Ekiti man” or “strangers” to govern Ogun.
Other PDP leaders used the campaign to unveil their messages and mobilise voters for the party’s candidates across the state.
Supporters at the pavilion pledged their loyalty to the PDP and expressed confidence that the party would win the 2027 governorship election.
Many described the rain as a “rain of blessings”, saying the weather symbolised favourable tidings for the party and Ogun State.
The Abeokuta campaign event marks the beginning of the PDP’s statewide mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections, as the party seeks to consolidate its structures and challenge the APC for control of Ogun State.
