Thousands of supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and indigenes of Ogun State yesterday stormed the Ake Palace Pavilion in Abeokuta as the party officially flagged off its campaign for the 2027 governorship election.

As early as 10am, party faithful dressed in PDP colours began streaming into the venue, singing solidarity songs and waving flags and banners bearing the images of the party’s governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, and his running mate, ’Yemi Showunmi-Kolapo.

Another jubilant crowd of residents, grassroots members and party loyalists had earlier converged on the PDP Secretariat in the state capital to welcome Adebutu, Showunmi-Kolapo, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo and other party leaders to the major political event.

The procession from the PDP Secretariat to the venue caused a standstill, as the campaign train and its mammoth crowd filled the roads, with the overflow of supporters competing for space with motorists.

Street traders and passersby waved at the moving crowd, while security operatives had a hectic time controlling entry points as the number of supporters continued to swell.

The candidates and their supporters also defied a heavy downpour during the procession, dancing to loud music and solidarity songs that kept the crowd entertained.

The flag-off signaled the commencement of the party’s statewide campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the PDP mobilising its structures and supporters towards victory.

Speaking at the event in a speech titled “A Call to Liberation,” Adebutu urged supporters and residents to vote out the All Progressives Congress (APC), promising to provide quality governance if elected.

He said Ogun State must end what he described as an era of non-performance, corruption, and misgovernance, and vote for the PDP for “liberation,” a statement that drew loud cheers from the crowd.

Adebutu urged residents and party supporters to come out en masse to vote for the PDP on February 6, 2027, stand by their votes and resist intimidation.

He promised to formulate policies that would enable residents to benefit from the dividends of democracy, with a focus on building a resilient economy and creating a corruption-free working environment.

He listed seven key areas of his proposed administration, including improved security; restoration of local government autonomy; regional development; physical planning and transportation; rural and urban development; agricultural and economic development; development of women, youth and sports; and improvements in education, healthcare and social services.

He also assured residents that their livelihoods would not be frustrated because of their political affiliations.

“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.

On her part, the deputy governorship candidate, ’Yemi Showunmi-Kolapo, assured the people of Ogun State of quality leadership, expressing appreciation to supporters and residents who defrain to attend the campaign.

She said the people of the state would bid poverty and maladministration farewell once the PDP took over under Adebutu’s administration.
Showunmi-Kolapo also argued that it was Adebutu’s turn to govern the state.

“I want to assure you all that in Ogun State, there is freedom, relief is here. (Itura de). The last time we flagged off the National Assembly campaign, it rained, and we moved in the rain.

“Today as well, we are flagging off our governorship campaign. It rained, and we moved in it. Don’t let them deceive you; we will gather like this during the inauguration of Hon. Ladi Adebutu as governor.

“Egba people, stand by your own. Former governors Ibikunle Amosun, Gbenga Daniel, and others have governed Ogun. 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 is Adebutu’s turn,” she said.

The Ogun PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, in his remarks, urged the electorate to vote for Adebutu, saying the overwhelming support shown at the rally would be reciprocated with the provision of basic social amenities and good governance.

Addressing the crowd, Tella said, “Ladi Adebutu stood by us. That is why we will not allow an Ekiti man to come and rule our state. We don’t know whether he is a Lagos man or Ekiti, but we won’t allow strangers to govern Ogun. Ogun people, let us use the Osun model. Stand by your votes.”
Other party leaders used the occasion to unveil campaign messages and rally voters behind the party’s candidates across Ogun State.

Residents and supporters also pledged their loyalty to the PDP and assured the party of their votes. The crowd at the pavilion grew even larger, with the venue filled beyond capacity despite the rain.

“We will vote and stand by our votes for PDP,” many of them said.

Some supporters described the downpour as a “rain of blessings,” saying it signaled good tidings for the state.

An indigene who identified himself simply as Bode said:

“Even if it rains fire, we will stand with the PDP, Adebutu and Iya Sunnah. Our votes must count this time around, and we will rejoice in the end.”