The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has declared Oladipupo Adebutu as the winner of its governorship primary election in Ogun State ahead of the 2027 general election.
Adebutu, who was the party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 election, emerged as the consensus candidate during the primary held in Abeokuta on Sunday. He had formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election under the PDP in a letter dated April 30, 2026.
Party members across the 236 wards of the state had earlier participated in the affirmation process that produced Adebutu as the PDP flagbearer.
The Chairman of the Ogun State PDP Governorship Primary Panel, Afolabi Ariyo, officially declared Adebutu winner of the exercise through a voice vote.
Ariyo said, “I, Afolabi Ariyo, Chairman of the Ogun State Peoples Democratic Party Governorship Primary Panel, hereby declare that Hon. Oladipupo Olatunde Adebutu is the winner and is returned as the consensus candidate.”
The primary was attended by several national and South-West leaders of the party, including a former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose.
Speaking at the event, Fayose congratulated Adebutu and members of the PDP, saying the turnout reflected the party’s readiness to contest strongly in 2027.
He said, “I will today congratulate you and congratulate my brother, our candidate, because God has given him and the good people of the PDP and Ogun State life to witness this day.
“What we saw outside this hall simply portends hope. Hope that reflects the readiness of the people to put Ladi Adebutu in the office of the Governor of Ogun State.”
Fayose said Adebutu’s political journey had now become fully tied to the governorship seat.
He added, “After today, Ladi Adebutu can only be Governor. He cannot be Deputy Governor. He cannot be Senator. He cannot be Councillor.”
In his acceptance speech, Adebutu described his emergence as another historic moment for the PDP in Ogun State.
He thanked party leaders, executives, stakeholders and members for unanimously endorsing him as the party’s governorship candidate.
Adebutu said, “History has once again been made today with my emergence as the consensus governorship candidate of our great party under a united PDP.”
The former governorship candidate expressed confidence that the PDP would reclaim power in Ogun State in 2027.
He described the next governorship election as “a must-win” for the opposition party.
Referring to the 2023 governorship election, Adebutu said he believed the PDP won the poll but was denied victory through manipulation.
In the 2023 election, the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Governor Dapo Abiodun of the All Progressives Congress winner, with Adebutu placing second in a close contest.
Adebutu said, “However, this time in 2027, I believe in God that your votes will count and will put me in office as your duly elected Governor.”
He urged members of the party to remain peaceful, united and focused ahead of the election.
According to him, unity and stability within the PDP are necessary if the party is to defeat the ruling APC in the state.
Adebutu said Ogun State had remained under APC control for more than a decade despite its enormous human and natural resources.
He added, “Our collective responsibility now should be focused on returning our party to the seat of power in Oke-Mosan in order to rescue our people from suffering and maladministration.”
Earlier, the Ogun State PDP Chairman, Abayomi Tella, said the successful conduct of the primary showed that the party remained strong, united and focused in the state.
Tella said the PDP had moved beyond its internal crises and legal disputes.
He appealed to members to continue working together to sustain stability, deepen unity and secure victory in the 2027 governorship election.