By Peace Udugba
Thousands of supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday thronged the Ake Palace Pavilion in Abeokuta for the official flag-off of the party’s campaign for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.
The rally, which attracted party leaders, grassroots supporters and residents from across the state, marked the commencement of the PDP’s statewide mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Party supporters began arriving at the venue as early as 10am, dressed in PDP colours and displaying flags and banners bearing the images of the party’s governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, and his running mate, ‘Yemi Showunmi-Kolapo.
Another large crowd had earlier gathered at the PDP Secretariat in Abeokuta to receive Adebutu, Showunmi-Kolapo, former Senator Iyabo Obasanjo and other party leaders before accompanying the campaign train to the flag-off venue.
The procession caused heavy traffic along the route, as the campaign convoy and supporters occupied sections of the roads. Street traders and passersby waved at the procession, while security personnel worked to manage the crowd and regulate access to the venue.
Despite a heavy downpour, the candidates and their supporters continued with the procession, dancing to music and singing solidarity songs.
At the rally, Adebutu, in a speech titled “A Call to Liberation,” urged Ogun residents to vote out the All Progressives Congress (APC), promising to provide what he described as quality and people-oriented governance if elected governor.
He said the state needed a new direction and urged residents to reject what he described as non-performance, corruption and misgovernance.
Adebutu called on voters to come out en masse on February 6, 2027, to vote for the PDP, protect their votes and resist intimidation.
He promised to introduce policies aimed at improving the economy, strengthening accountability and ensuring that residents benefit from the dividends of democracy.
The PDP candidate outlined seven major areas of his proposed administration, including security, local government autonomy, regional development, physical planning and transportation, rural and urban development, agriculture and economic development, as well as the advancement of women, youths and sports.
He also listed education, healthcare and social services among his priorities.
Adebutu further promised that workers and pensioners would receive their entitlements under a PDP administration, while market women and other traders would be protected from what he described as excessive taxation.
“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.
Showunmi-Kolapo: ‘It Is Adebutu’s Turn’
The deputy governorship candidate, ‘Yemi Showunmi-Kolapo, assured the people of Ogun State that a PDP administration would provide what she described as effective and responsive leadership.
She commended supporters for defying the rain to attend the campaign flag-off and expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious in 2027.
Showunmi-Kolapo said an Adebutu-led government would tackle poverty and what she described as maladministration in the state.
She also argued that Adebutu deserved the opportunity to govern Ogun State, citing the contributions of the Adebutu family to the development and empowerment of residents.
“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,” she said.
She urged residents, particularly voters in Ogun Central and other parts of the state, to support the PDP ticket.
Ogun PDP Chairman Mobilises Voters
The Ogun State PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, urged the electorate to vote for Adebutu, saying the party would reciprocate the support with improved infrastructure, basic social amenities and good governance.
Tella also urged supporters to protect their votes during the election, citing the need for effective mobilisation and vigilance at polling units.
Other PDP leaders at the event used the occasion to unveil campaign messages and mobilise supporters for the party’s candidates across the state.
The crowd at the Ake Palace Pavilion continued to swell despite the rainfall, with the venue reportedly filled beyond capacity.
Some supporters described the rainfall as a “rain of blessings” and expressed optimism about the party’s chances in the 2027 election.
One of the supporters, who identified himself simply as Bode, said the weather would not discourage him and other PDP supporters from backing Adebutu.
> “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,” he said.
The PDP campaign flag-off sets the stage for what is expected to be a competitive political contest in Ogun State as parties intensify their mobilisation ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
