Residents of communities in the Obantoko area of Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State have pledged to deliver the highest number of votes for the Peoples Democratic Party's (PDP) governorship candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, in the 2027 election. The pledge was made during a community stakeholders' meeting attended by hundreds of residents, party members, and community leaders. They expressed their support for Adebutu and his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, citing their philanthropic gestures and commitment to the community.
The meeting, attended by PDP state leaders, ward executives, and the party's House of Representatives candidate for Abeokuta North, Obafemi-Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency, Dele Olaleye, turned into an endorsement of Adebutu's governorship bid. Residents pledged to support him and other PDP candidates in the 2027 general elections. The Chairman of PDP, Obantoko Ward, Ezekiel Adeleye, said residents regarded Sowunmi-Kolapo as a neighbour and credited her philanthropic gestures with strengthening her relationship with the communities.
Adeleye commended Sowunmi-Kolapo for her kind gestures, including providing funds to repair a community transformer. He said, "You are one of us, and we will vote for you." The Deputy State Chairman of the PDP, Abiodun Ogunremi, reminded the gathering of the area's history as a stronghold of the party. He expressed confidence that the community would repeat its performance in the 2027 election.
Ogunremi called on residents to resist attempts by individuals to impose candidates from outside the community on them. He said, "Ask them of their ancestry. They don’t have any in Ogun State. So, don’t give strangers any chance to rule over us and don’t allow them to intimidate you during the poll." He highlighted Adebutu's achievements outside government, including distributing 700 transformers to several communities across Ogun.
A member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Fasiu Bakenne, also urged residents to resist intimidation and vote for the PDP candidates. The PDP House of Assembly candidate in 2023, O. Kenny, reminded residents of Adebutu's promise to restore local government autonomy, noting that greater autonomy could bring more resources and development to local communities.
Sowunmi-Kolapo also reminded the residents of Adebutu's philanthropic activities outside government, urging them to mobilise their families, friends, neighbours, co-workers, and other eligible voters ahead of the election. She said, "Can you mention someone who remembered us during COVID-19 and was not in government and had no access to public funds? It is only Adebutu."
The residents' pledge of support for Adebutu and the PDP candidates is a boost to the party's chances in the 2027 election. The party leaders and candidates present at the meeting expressed their gratitude to the residents for their commitment.
Key points
- Ogun communities pledge to deliver highest votes for PDP's Adebutu in 2027 election
- Residents commend Adebutu and Sowunmi-Kolapo for their philanthropic gestures
- PDP leaders urge residents to resist intimidation and vote for party candidates
