Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun and the party’s deputy governorship candidate in the 2027 election, Yemi Kolapo, at the weekend rallied members and supporters in Odeda Local Government Area of the state for the party’s candidate in the election, Oladipupo Adebutu.
Towns in Odeda Local Government, beginning with Obantoko communities in Odeda, were in jubilation as residents, party faithful and community leaders gathered to declare support for the PDP and its governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Oladipupo Adebutu.
The crowd, who had gathered from American Junction, Asalu, Akete, Akinyele, Akepe Oluwa, Kangudu and other communities in the Obantoko area, expressed their determination and commitment to support PDP, known during a meeting with Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, the PDP deputy governorship candidate, at a community stakeholders’ meeting held in Obantoko.
The residents and party loyalists said the political statement they made for Adebutu was to show their love and acceptance for his running mate, who chose to live among them at a time when the majority of politicians find it difficult to live among average citizens.
The people promised that Obantoko – already nicknamed the “PDP Community” – would deliver the highest votes for Adebutu in Odeda Local Government and Ogun State at large in the 2027 governorship poll.
The meeting, attended by leaders of the PDP in the state, the ward structure, and the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Abeokuta North, Obafemi-Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency, Dele Olaleye, turned into an endorsement ceremony for Adebutu’s governorship bid as residents promised to deliver him and all other candidates of the party next year.
Further on the mood of the people, the Chairman of PDP, Obantoko Ward, Ezekiel Adeleye, said the community saw Sowunmi-Kolapo not as a distant politician, but as a neighbour and a big-hearted mother whose philanthropic gestures had contributed to winning the love of the communities.
Adeleye told Sowunmi-Kolapo: “You are one of us, and we will vote for you. I don’t want us to miss this opportunity. You live with us here. The community leaders still refer to your kind gesture a few years back, when you were told that we were contributing money to repair our transformer. You said they should refund what had been contributed so far to the owners, and you provided the money.
“This is our collective struggle. We will rally people to vote for Hon. Ladi Adebutu and all other candidates of PDP in the 2027 general election.”
He noted that for many in Obantoko, a densely populated ward on the outskirts of Abeokuta, Kolapo’s decision to reside in the community, unlike other politicians in elitist estates, was a “proof of sincerity and commitment to grassroots development.”
The Deputy State Chairman of PDP, Abiodun Ogunremi, who represented the Chairman, Abayomi Tella, reminded the gathering of their history as a stronghold of the PDP, saying “we are called PDP communities for a reason and we must prove our love for PDP again next year.”
Ogunremi further disclosed that Obantoko performed well during the last elections and massively delivered for the PDP and revealed that “we have six polling booths and they call us PDP community. We will repeat the feat performed during the last election.”
Enumerating some of the achievements of the PDP governorship candidate even when he didn’t have any political ambition, the party leader said, “Adebutu is not yet in government, and he has been doing wonders. His father has also been empowering people. No fewer than 700 transformers have been distributed by Adebutu to several communities across Ogun.
“Poverty will end and there will be fullness of good governance once he is voted as governor. So, let’s reject the hardship by voting enmasse for all the PDP candidates.”
A member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Fasiu Bakenne, also urged residents to resist intimidation and vote for the PDP across board.
The PDP House of Assembly candidate in 2023, O. Kenny, reminded the people of the promise made by Adebutu to restore local government autonomy, noting that uneven development awaits local communities with council autonomy.
He said: “Stand by your votes. Odeda alone has between N300 million and N400 million allocation. If the local government autonomy promised is actualised, just imagine the benefits that will come to us.”
The party’s House of Representatives candidate for Abeokuta North, Obafemi-Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency, Dele Olaleye, stressed that only an Adebutu government would guarantee real local government autonomy in Ogun, saying “your votes will make the effort by Adebutu to return local government autonomy in Ogun to be realised.”
In an address, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, who was welcomed with songs and chants, reminded them of Adebutu’s philanthropy without public funds, urging the people to mobilise their families, friends, neighbours, co-workers and all other eligible voters to vote Adebutu, Dele Olaleye, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo and other candidates of the PDP in the 2027 polls.
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. If we allow strangers to rule over us, then we have allowed calamity. We want to protect our heritage.
“Let your votes be massive and protect your votes. Stand by your votes. There will be security provisions. They may want to offer you money, the money is yours, take their money and vote for Ladi.”
Sowunmi-Kolapo said the campaign mantra of the PDP, “Itura Tide” (relief has come), was a pointer that the time of suffering was enough.
“This suffering is enough. You know the first election (presidential and National Assembly) will determine a lot. So, vote for Dele Olaleye and then vote Senator Iyabo Obasanjo and all other PDP candidates. Then vote for Adebutu as governor,” she said.
