2027: Ogun PDP Selects Veteran Journalist Yemi Sowunmi‑Kolapo as Deputy Governor Candidate

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State announced on Monday that veteran journalist Lateefah Yemi Sowunmi‑Kolapo would be its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election.

Kolapo, who is also known as the Iya Suna of Egbaland, is expected to run alongside the party’s gubernatorial nominee, Ladi Adebutu.

During the declaration ceremony at the PDP secretariat in Abeokuta, state chairman Abayomi Tella expressed confidence that the party would win in 2027. He said the PDP had chosen “pure and undiluted indigenes of Ogun State” and praised the State Working Committee and party leadership for their hard work. “All of you, without exception, will agree with me today that the PDP in Ogun State is well‑positioned to be a major force in 2027,” Tella said. He added that the party’s strategy of selecting strong local candidates would continue to yield results. “The good thing about this combination is that these are pure, undiluted indigenes of Ogun State,” he noted, contrasting this with other parties that have brought in outsiders.

Governor‑candidate Ladi Adebutu also spoke, saying that the deputy candidate had been chosen by the people and for the people. “Today, however, I believe, and we should all sense, that the time is right,” Adebutu said. “We have forty candidates on this stage today, and for the first time, I can confidently say that there is no weak link among us. All forty candidates are steadfast, committed and strong.” He concluded that “God’s time is always the best.”

In her acceptance speech, Lateefah Sowunmi‑Kolapo thanked the party for its confidence in her and urged residents to vote in large numbers. She expressed confidence that the PDP would win and secure its seat at Oke‑Mosan.

Meanwhile, former First Lady Iyabo Obasanjo called on voters to protect their ballots and prevent the “vote stealing” she said occurred in 2019 and 2023. She asserted that Adebutu had been denied a mandate in previous elections and promised that such a situation would not recur in 2027, citing her influence within the party.