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Thousands of supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Wednesday stormed the Ake Palace Pavilion in Abeokuta as the party officially flagged off its campaign for the 2027 Ogun State governorship election.
Supporters, party faithful and residents began arriving at the venue as early as 10 a.m., dressed in PDP colours and chanting solidarity songs while waving flags and banners bearing the images of the party’s governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, and his running mate, Yemi Showunmi-Kolapo.
Earlier, a large crowd had converged at the PDP secretariat in Abeokuta to receive Adebutu, Showunmi-Kolapo, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo and other party leaders ahead of the campaign flag-off.
The supporters accompanied the candidates’ convoy through major streets of the state capital, causing traffic congestion as the campaign train moved towards the Ake Palace Pavilion.
The roads leading from the party secretariat to the venue were filled with supporters, while security operatives struggled to control the crowd and maintain order at strategic entry points.
Despite a heavy downpour, Adebutu, his running mate and their supporters continued the procession, dancing and singing solidarity songs as loud music played.
The flag-off marked the beginning of the PDP’s statewide campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the party seeking to mobilise its structures and supporters across Ogun State.
Speaking at the venue, Adebutu, in an address titled “A Call to Liberation,” urged Ogun residents to vote out the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), promising quality leadership and improved governance if elected.
The PDP candidate said the people of Ogun State must bring an end to what he described as non-performance, corruption and misgovernance.
He called on supporters to turn out in large numbers to vote for the PDP on February 6, 2027, urging them to protect their votes and resist intimidation.
Adebutu said his administration would introduce policies aimed at improving the welfare of residents and ensuring that citizens enjoy the dividends of democracy.
He listed security, local government autonomy, regional development, physical planning and transportation, rural and urban development, agriculture and economic growth, as well as youth, women and sports development among the major areas of his proposed administration.
Other areas, he said, would include the improvement of education, healthcare and social services.
Adebutu also assured residents that his government would not discriminate against anyone because of political affiliation.
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“Immediately we are voted into office, 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.
Also speaking during the flag off, the deputy governorship candidate, Showunmi-Kolapo, assured the people of Ogun State of quality leadership under a PDP administration, commending supporters for remaining at the campaign venue despite the heavy downpour and expressed confidence that the party would emerge victorious in the election.
According to her, Ogun residents would bid poverty and maladministration goodbye if the PDP takes over the leadership of the state.
Showunmi-Kolapo declared that it was Adebutu’s turn to govern Ogun State, emphasising, “I want to assure you all that in Ogun State, there is freedom; relief is here. Today, as 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.”
The deputy governorship candidate also urged residents of the state to support the PDP, insisting that Adebutu had contributed to the empowerment and welfare of Ogun people over the years.
Also speaking, the Ogun State PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, called on the electorate to vote for Adebutu, assuring them that the party would reciprocate their support with good governance and the provision of basic social amenities.
Tella urged supporters to remain committed to the party and protect their votes during the election.
Other party leaders at the event also rallied supporters behind the PDP candidates and unveiled campaign messages aimed at mobilising voters across the state.
Several supporters who spoke at the event pledged their loyalty to the PDP and expressed confidence in the party’s chances in the election.
The crowd continued to swell at the Ake Palace Pavilion despite the rain, with supporters describing the downpour as “a rain of blessings.”
One of the supporters, identified simply as Bode, said the weather would not weaken their determination to support the PDP.
“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.
The PDP is expected to take its campaign to different parts of Ogun State in the coming months as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections.
