Oyo PDP House of Reps Candidates Affirm Loyalty to Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi's Leadership After Primaries

By Seyifunmi Odunuga 

— Following the successful conclusion of the party’s primary elections, the 14 newly minted House of Representatives candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State have unified to express their profound appreciation to the party leadership, explicitly praising the guidance of party leader Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi.

In a press release made available to newsmen on Friday by the Secretary of the PDP in Oyo State, Dr. Abiola Olanipekun, the flag bearers, who secured their tickets during the internal party polls held on Sunday, May 17, issued a collective statement praising the leadership structure for ensuring a stable and well-coordinated primary process. They noted that the strategic direction provided by Barrister Gbolarumi and the state working committee was instrumental in maintaining order across all federal constituencies during the high-stakes selection exercise.

According to the statement, running on a platform guided by veteran party stakeholders provides the ticket with significant institutional weight and grassroots appeal. The candidates described Gbolarumi as a leader who truly knows where the shoe pinches, possessing an innate ability to ease people’s pains and turn their struggles into smiles. In the darkness of hardship, they noted, he sees clearly and finds purpose in the people’s plight—steadily steering the course like a steadfast guide sailing on the same ship, turning night into dawn. The candidates declared that he is truly the most awaited new dawn that will illuminate the state with hope, urging the electorate and party faithful to "be ready for him."

The metropolitan contenders, including Hon. Fatola Samson Opeyemi of Ibadan South West/North West, Olusoji Olusegun Alade of Ibadan North, and Akinyemi Akinkunmi Olayemi of Ibadan South East/North East, emphasized that this compassionate leadership has effectively solidified the party's foundation in the state, preparing it for an aggressive campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The unified front extends deeply into the wider districts as well. Candidates representing the ancient towns and outer rings—including Afolabi Idris Olanrewaju for Oyo East/Oyo West/Atiba/Afijio, Okanlawon Ajoke Kudirat for Ogbomoso North/South/Orire, and Oyeniyi Akinloye Olusegun for Ogo-Oluwa/Surulere—echoed the sentiment, noting that maintaining such a strong, clear, and empathetic party hierarchy is vital for electoral success.

Similarly, the flag bearers across the Ibarapa, Oke-Ogun, and metro-fringe axes—Alao Elizabeth Folashade, Rasaki Haruna Abiola, Ajumobi Rotimi David, Adebayo Moboluji Adedotun, Odeyemi Abisola Solome, Akinyemi Victoria Omolara, Suleiman Abdul-Lateef Adeniran, and Azeez Ramota Titilope—affirmed that the party’s focus must now pivot entirely toward absolute unity.

With the crucial primary stage now settled, the 14 candidates have extended an olive branch to all co-contestants who participated in the May 17 exercises. They urged all former aspirants and grassroots mobilization teams to align fully behind the visionary leadership of Barrister Gbolarumi, closing ranks to ensure that the Oyo PDP presents an unassailable, unified front capable of securing a total victory at the green chamber in 2027.