Gbolarumi, 2 Others Vie For PDP Oyo Guber Ticket

The race for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket in Oyo State ahead of the 2027 general elections has narrowed to three aspirants, as the party prepares to conduct its primary election on Sunday.

The aspirants are former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Hazeem Gbolarumi, Mogaji Oluwakayode Ogunsola, and Amofin Beulah Adeoye, all of whom have been screened and cleared by the party leadership to contest the ticket.

The Oyo State PDP Chairman, Professor Abdulrahman Akinoso, confirmed the development in a statement on Saturday, noting that preparations had been concluded for the exercise, which will determine the party’s flag bearer for the 2027 governorship election.

Akinoso said the party would adopt the direct primary method in line with the amended Electoral Act, allowing registered members across all wards in the state to participate in the selection process.

“The Peoples Democratic Party is set to conduct gubernatorial primary across the nation on Sunday, 24 May 2026,” he said.

“In Oyo State, three aspirants, Barr Hazeem Gbolarumi, Mogaji Oluwakayode Ogunsola, and Amofin Beulah Adeoye, have shown interest in using the platform of PDP for Oyo gubernatorial race for 2027 general election.”

He further explained that the collation of results from the exercise would take place at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat, Iyaganku, Ibadan.

“The conduct of the primary will be in line with the amended electoral act. A direct primary will be adopted to decide the party flag bearer. This involves the participation of registered members at all wards. The NUJ house at Iyaganku Ibadan will serve as state collation centre,” Akinoso added.

The party chairman assured all three aspirants of a free, fair, transparent, and credible process, urging stakeholders to maintain peace before, during, and after the exercise.

“I want to use the medium to appeal to our members to remain peaceful and maintain orderliness during the exercise,” he said.

He also called on party members to rally behind whoever emerges from the primary, stressing the need for unity to strengthen the party’s chances in the 2027 general election.

Akinoso added that victory at the polls would depend largely on cohesion within the party, urging members to prioritise collective success over internal divisions.