Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, the running mate to Oladipupo Adebutu, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ogun State, has mobilised residents of Obantoko communities in Odeda Local Government Area to support the party ahead of the 2027 governorship election. Kolapo made the appeal during a stakeholders’ meeting with residents and PDP leaders in Obantoko at the weekend. The meeting was attended by residents and party supporters from various communities in the area, including American Junction, Asalu, Akete, Akinyele, Akepe Oluwa, and Kangudu.
Community members at the meeting declared their support for the PDP and its governorship candidate, describing Kolapo as one of them due to her decision to live in the community and her previous interventions in local issues. The PDP Chairman in Obantoko Ward, Ezekiel Adeleye, pledged the community’s support for Kolapo and the party during the election. Adeleye recalled Kolapo’s intervention when residents were raising funds to repair a transformer in the community, saying she contributed money to the project and subsequently requested a refund from those who had already contributed.
The Deputy State Chairman of the PDP, Abiodun Ogunremi, who represented the state chairman, Abayomi Tella, described Obantoko as a traditional support base of the party. Ogunremi urged residents to repeat their strong performance for the PDP in previous elections and reject candidates he described as strangers to the state. He cited interventions attributed to Adebutu and his family in communities across the state, including the distribution of transformers, and urged residents to vote for PDP candidates.
A member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Fasiu Bakenne, urged residents to protect their votes and resist intimidation during the election. The PDP House of Assembly candidate in the 2023 election, O. Kenny, urged residents to support Adebutu’s proposal on local government autonomy, highlighting the potential benefits to the community. Kenny mentioned that Odeda alone has an allocation between N300 million and N400 million, which could be better utilised with local government autonomy.
The PDP House of Representatives candidate for Abeokuta North, Obafemi-Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency, Dele Olaleye, said an Adebutu administration would support greater autonomy for local governments in the state. Olaleye urged residents to ensure that their votes make the effort by Adebutu to return local government autonomy in Ogun a reality. This, he believes, will bring more benefits to the community.
Kolapo, in her address, urged the community to rally behind the PDP and its candidates in the 2027 general elections. She appreciated the community’s support and promised to work towards ensuring that the party’s promises are fulfilled. Kolapo’s efforts to mobilise support for the PDP in the area have been seen as a significant move to strengthen the party’s base ahead of the election.
The meeting marked a significant show of support for the PDP in Obantoko communities, with various stakeholders pledging their commitment to the party. Key points from the meeting include Kolapo’s appeal to residents to support the PDP, the community’s declaration of support for the party, and the emphasis on local government autonomy.
Key points
- Kolapo rallies Obantoko communities to support PDP ahead of 2027 governorship election.
- Community members declare support for PDP due to Kolapo’s interventions and her residence in the community.
- PDP leaders urge residents to protect their votes and reject candidates described as strangers to the state.
