Thousands of supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and indigenes of Ogun State thronged the Ake Palace Pavilion in Abeokuta on Wednesday as the party officially flagged off its campaign for the 2027 governorship election.
As early as 10 am, party faithful dressed in PDP colours began arriving at the venue, singing solidarity songs and waving flags and banners bearing the images of the party’s governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, and his deputy, ‘Yemi Showunmi-Kolapo.
Another jubilant crowd of residents, grassroots members, and party loyalists had earlier gathered at the PDP Secretariat in the state capital to welcome Adebutu, Showunmi-Kolapo, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, and other party leaders to the political event.
The supporters later accompanied the governorship candidate’s convoy to the venue, waving and cheering as the procession moved through the streets.
The route from the PDP Secretariat to the stadium was brought to 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 procession, while security operatives struggled to control the entry points as the crowd continued to swell.
The candidates and their supporters also defied a heavy downpour during the procession, dancing to loud music and solidarity songs.
The flag-off marked the commencement of the PDP’s statewide campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections as the party mobilises its structures and supporters for the poll.
Speaking at the venue, Adebutu, in a speech titled **’A Call to Liberation,’** urged supporters and indigenes to vote out the All Progressives Congress (APC), promising to deliver quality governance if elected.
Adebutu said the people of Ogun State must end what he described as an era of non-performance, corruption and misgovernance by voting for the PDP for liberation.
His remarks elicited loud cheers from the crowd.
He urged residents and party supporters to turn out en masse to vote for the PDP on February 6, 2027, stand by their votes and resist intimidation.
The candidate promised to formulate policies that would enable residents to benefit from the dividends of democracy, highlighting a resilient economy and a corruption-free work environment among his areas of focus.
Adebutu listed seven key areas of his agenda for the people, including increased security, restoration of local government autonomy, regional development, physical planning and transportation, rural and urban development, agricultural and economic development, and the development of women, youth and sports.
He also promised to enhance education, healthcare and social services.
The PDP candidate assured the people that their livelihoods would not be frustrated because of their political affiliations.
‘Immediately after we are 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 of quality leadership, expressing happiness that supporters and residents had defied the rain to stand by her and Adebutu.
She said the people of the state would bid poverty and maladministration farewell once the PDP takes over under Adebutu’s administration.
Showunmi-Kolapo argued that it was Adebutu’s turn to govern Ogun 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 and Osoba Gbenga Daniel have governed Ogun, among others. The Adebutu family has supported and empowered the people of Ogun State. We want to tell the governor (Dapo Abiodun) that he should release the governorship seat, it’s Adebutu’s turn,’ she said.
The Ogun PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, also called on the electorate to vote for Adebutu, saying the overwhelming support shown at the rally would be reciprocated with 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 key 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 in the election.
The crowd continued to swell at the pavilion, filling the venue beyond capacity despite the rain.
‘We will vote and stand by our votes for PDP,’ many of the supporters said.
They described the rain as a ‘rain of blessings’, saying it had ushered good tidings to the state.
An indigene who simply identified himself as Bode said the supporters would remain with the PDP regardless of the weather.
‘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.