BREAKING ‼️: BARRISTER HAZEEM GBOLARUMI - OYO STATE PDP GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATE UNVEILS HUMANITARIAN BLUEPRINT TO FREE INDIGENT INMATES, DEFEND HUMAN RIGHTS AND FIGHT POVERTY IN OYO STATE Why Oyo People May Have Seen a Glimpse of Their Next Governor

By Our Political Affairs Correspondent

IBADAN - A quiet but potentially transformative social intervention is unfolding in Oyo State, and at the centre of it is the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Governorship Candidate for the 2027 election, His Excellency, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi.

Information emerging from the widely followed "Stand Up For Your Rights" programme on Almond FM 94.3 states that the former Deputy Governor  have commenced laying the foundation for what many observers are already describing as a welfare-driven and human-centred governance agenda for Oyo State.

The development has attracted significant attention among civil society groups, human rights activists and political watchers across the state.

According to information disclosed during the programme, Alhaji Gbolarumi had been a consistent listener of the rights advocacy broadcast co-hosted by renowned human rights lawyers and social justice advocates, Chief (Barrister) Olawale Ojoge-Daniel and Chief (Barrister) Mrs. Bolawale Sobowale Ojoge-Daniel, founders of the JAFETO Human Rights Centre and the Ojoge-Daniel Foundation for Human Rights and Conflict Mediation.

A particular case reportedly touched his excellency.

The case involved Professor R.O. Lawal, a retired Head of the Chemistry Department of Oyo State Polytechnic, Ibadan.

Professor Lawal was reportedly owed approximately ₦7.6 million in retirement benefits for about sixteen years.

Despite obtaining a valid court judgment in his favour approximately fourteen years ago, the institution allegedly failed to comply with the judgment.

The retired academic reportedly exhausted several avenues in pursuit of justice without success.

However, after approaching JAFETO Human Rights Centre and bringing the matter before the public through the rights programme, the Centre took up the matter.

Within a matter of weeks, the entire sum of approximately ₦7.6 million was successfully recovered and paid to the retired professor.

Sources close to the development revealed that this singular achievement reinforced Alhaji Gbolarumi's conviction that thousands of ordinary citizens remain victims of injustice not because justice is unavailable, but because they lack access to effective representation and support.

It was gathered that shortly thereafter, the PDP standard bearer directed the JAFETO Human Rights Centre to commence the compilation of names of indigent victims of human rights abuses and violations across Oyo State.

The proposed intervention, according to available information, will initially target one hundred victims of police abuse, unlawful detention, oppression and victimisation from police formations across the state.

In addition, another one hundred inmates are expected to be identified from correctional facilities across Oyo State.

Particular attention is reportedly to be given to inmates convicted of minor offences, persons who lacked legal representation during trial, and those who received options of fine but remained incarcerated solely because they could not afford to pay.

According to those familiar with the discussions, Alhaji Gbolarumi strongly believes that poverty should never become a prison sentence.

The former Deputy Governor is said to have maintained that justice must not only be done but must be manifestly seen to be done.

For him, the true test of any government lies in how it treats the weak, the poor, the forgotten and the vulnerable members of society.

Even more remarkable is the philosophy underpinning the initiative.

According to sources, Alhaji Gbolarumi subscribes to the famous observation of Aristotle that:

"POVERTY IS THE PARENT OF CRIME AND REVOLUTION."

He reportedly believes that the battle against insecurity cannot be won merely through force, intimidation or the deployment of security hardware.

According to him, an empty stomach often breeds desperation.

An unemployed youth without hope is more vulnerable to criminal recruitment.

A society that ignores the welfare of its citizens inevitably creates conditions that fuel insecurity.

Consequently, the intervention is said to extend beyond merely securing the release of deserving inmates.

Plans are reportedly underway to provide vocational training, skills acquisition opportunities, rehabilitation programmes and economic empowerment for beneficiaries.

The objective is simple: restore dignity, create opportunities and transform former victims of poverty into productive contributors to society.

Observers have noted that the initiative reflects a significant departure from the traditional approach to governance that focuses almost exclusively on physical infrastructure while neglecting human development.

For many residents, this may be the clearest indication yet of the kind of leadership philosophy Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi intends to bring to Oyo State.

A philosophy rooted in welfare.

A philosophy rooted in social justice.

A philosophy rooted in human dignity.

A philosophy rooted in the belief that government exists primarily for the benefit of the people.

Political analysts say that while roads, bridges and buildings are important, sustainable peace and security ultimately depend on economic opportunities, social justice and public confidence in government institutions.

This is why many stakeholders are already describing the emerging initiative as one of the most ambitious social justice programmes proposed by any governorship contender in recent times.

As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of the 2027 governorship election, many residents of Oyo State may be asking a fundamental question:

What kind of governor does Oyo State need ?

One who merely manages government?

Or one who deliberately uses government as a vehicle for justice, welfare, empowerment and human development?

Supporters of Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi believe they already know the answer.

For them, the willingness to extend a hand of hope to the poor, the imprisoned, the oppressed and the forgotten demonstrates a rare understanding of the true purpose of leadership.

If leadership is measured not merely by promises but by compassion, vision and commitment to the welfare of ordinary citizens, then many believe Oyo State may already be witnessing the early signs of a government-in-waiting.

And if this unfolding humanitarian agenda is anything to go by, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi may well be presenting himself as a candidate whose vision extends beyond politics to the actual transformation of lives.

For many hopeful citizens across Oyo State, that vision may be worth supporting in 2027.