Obantoko communities in Odeda Local Government Area of Ogun State on Friday witnessed a gathering of residents, party faithful and community leaders who expressed support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its 2027 governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu.
The gathering, which brought together residents from American Junction, Asalu, Akete, Akinyele, Akepe Oluwa, Kangudu and other communities in the Obantoko area, was held during a community stakeholders’ meeting with the PDP Deputy Governorship Candidate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo.
The residents and party supporters said their support for Adebutu was also an expression of their acceptance of his running mate, whom they described as a resident of the community and someone who had maintained close ties with the people.
They said Obantoko, which they referred to as a “PDP Community,” would work to deliver votes for Adebutu and other PDP candidates in the 2027 elections.
The meeting was attended by PDP state leaders, ward executives and the party’s House of Representatives candidate for Abeokuta North, Obafemi-Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency, Dele Olaleye.
The Chairman of the PDP, Obantoko Ward, Ezekiel Adeleye, said the community regarded Sowunmi-Kolapo as a neighbour and commended her philanthropic activities in the area.
He said, “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 elections,” Adeleye told the gathering.
The Deputy State Chairman of the PDP, Abiodun Ogunremi, who represented the State Chairman, Abayomi Tella, described Obantoko as a traditional support base of the party.
“We are called PDP communities for a reason and we must prove our love for PDP again next year,” Ogunremi declared.
He disclosed that Obantoko had recorded strong support for the PDP in previous elections, adding that the party expected a similar outcome in 2027.
“We have six polling booths and they call us PDP community. We will repeat the feat performed during the last election,” he added.
Ogunremi also urged residents to reject what he described as attempts to impose candidates from outside the state on them.
“Ask them of their ancestry. They don’t have any in Ogun State. So, don’t give strangers any chance to rule over us and don’t allow them to intimidate you during the poll.”
He also highlighted what he described as philanthropic activities associated with Adebutu and his family, including assistance to communities.
“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 protect their votes and support the party’s candidates.
The PDP House of Assembly candidate in 2023, O. Kenny, recalled Adebutu’s promise to restore local government autonomy, arguing that greater autonomy could improve development at the grassroots.
“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,” he said.
Similarly, Dele Olaleye, the PDP House of Representatives candidate for Abeokuta North, Obafemi-Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency, said an Adebutu administration would pursue local government autonomy in Ogun.
“Your votes will make the effort by Adebutu to return local government autonomy in Ogun to be realised,” Olaleye noted.
The meeting climaxed with an address by Sowunmi-Kolapo, who was welcomed by songs and chants from supporters.
She urged residents to mobilise eligible voters in their families and communities ahead of the 2027 elections, while highlighting Adebutu’s philanthropic activities.
“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 also led the crowd in the PDP campaign mantra, “ITURA TIDE”, which means “relief has come”, before urging residents to support the party’s candidates in the 2027 elections.
“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.
