The campaign team of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State attracted large crowds in Ijebu-Ode and Odogbolu on Wednesday as the party’s 2027 governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, and his running mate, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, continued their campaign tour.
Supporters had gathered around the Lagos Garage area of Ijebu-Ode ahead of the candidates’ arrival. The gathering grew into a large procession involving party members, traders, farmers, youths, commercial motorcycle operators and other residents.
The supporters marched through several parts of the town, singing, dancing and displaying PDP flags, banners and posters of the candidates. Femi Omotayo Omo-Owo, the party’s candidate for Ogun East Senatorial District, also joined the procession.
The campaign train passed through areas including Kashiru, Oke-Aje and other parts of Ijebu-Ode before ending at the Stadium, where Adebutu and other party leaders addressed supporters.
At Oke-Aje Market, some traders left their stalls to welcome the campaign team. Adebutu and other PDP leaders also interacted with traders and purchased some of their goods, which were subsequently shared among supporters.
The procession later moved towards Dagbuwere Market in Idowa, where residents also came out to welcome the candidates.
The campaign team alleged that its supporters encountered resistance from suspected political thugs at the boundary between Idowa and Ososa. The allegation was made by the PDP campaign team and was not independently established in the report.
At Odogbolu, the campaign attracted another large gathering, with supporters reportedly arriving from different parts of the community.
Traditional drummers and local singers welcomed Adebutu, chanting in Ijebu dialect as the candidate mounted the podium to address the crowd.
Adebutu told residents that his campaign was focused on addressing issues affecting the community, including roads, local government administration, pensions and gratuity arrears.
He promised to support greater autonomy for local governments and said his administration, if elected, would work to settle outstanding pension and gratuity obligations.
The PDP candidate also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of mismanaging public funds and alleged that some federal constituency projects meant for other states had been diverted to Ogun State.
Adebutu specifically criticised Senator Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, and challenged him over the allegations. Adebutu said he would present documents to support his claims.
He also alleged that his campaign convoy came under attack while travelling to Odogbolu, claiming that shots were fired at the vehicle’s windscreen and tyres. The allegation was made by Adebutu during the campaign and was not independently verified in the report.
Sowunmi-Kolapo urged residents to support the PDP candidates and resist what she described as intimidation during the election.
Former PDP chairman in Odogbolu Local Government Area, John Babafemi, recalled the party’s previous administration in the state and criticised the APC government over what he described as poor governance.
Kehinde Shogunle, a PDP chieftain and Director-General of the Ogun PDP Campaign, urged voters to protect their votes during the election.
Other party leaders, including Folake Marcus-Bello, Femi Awotayo and PDP state chairman Abayomi Tella, also addressed the gathering.
Marcus-Bello challenged APC governorship candidate Solomon Adeola over questions surrounding his ancestry in Ogun State, while Tella called on residents to vote for the PDP and ensure their votes were protected.
As the campaign team departed Odogbolu, supporters continued to follow the procession to the town’s boundary while chanting slogans in support of Adebutu.
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