2027: Why We Are Supporting Hazeem Gbolarumi – Association of Traditional Wedding Coordinators

By Seyifunmi Odunuga 

​The Association of Professional Traditional Wedding Engagement Coordinators has opened up on why it is throwing its weight behind the gubernatorial ambition of Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi ahead of the 2027 general elections in Oyo State.

​The association, comprising the influential "Alaga Iduro" and "Alaga Joko" practitioners across the state, stated that its decision to support Gbolarumi under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is rooted in his "unflinching consistency" and deep-seated respect for traditional institutions and the grassroots.

 During a solidarity visit to the Oyo PDP Planning and Strategy Committee on Monday, the group noted that the former Deputy Governor represents a vital bridge between the state’s political elite and the common man.

 According to the leadership of the association, Gbolarumi’s history of accessibility and his long-standing commitment to the party’s ideals make him the ideal candidate to lead the state.

​"We are not just observers of culture; we are the heartbeat of the grassroots. In Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi, we see a leader who has remained loyal to his party and his people even when it was not convenient," the association’s spokesperson stated.

 "Our support is not accidental; it is a calculated move to ensure that the next governor of Oyo State is someone who understands the nuances of our traditions and the struggles of the informal sector."

​The coordinators emphasized that their profession allows them unique, weekly access to thousands of households, a network they vowed to leverage for Gbolarumi’s campaign. They maintained that his candidacy offers the PDP the best chance of maintaining its stronghold in the state, citing his political pedigree and deep roots in the local political landscape.

​Responding to the endorsement, the PDP Planning and Strategy Committee expressed confidence in the choice of the coordinators, describing them as "critical stakeholders" in the Oyo project. The committee noted that the overwhelming support from such a culturally significant group sends a strong signal to the opposition regarding the party’s unified front ahead of the 2027 polls.

 The coordinators concluded by pledging their absolute loyalty to the Gbolarumi mandate, promising to transform their vast influence across the 33 local government areas into a formidable machinery for the legal luminary’s governorship bid.