Gbolarumi’s Mandate: PDP Must Unite to Reclaim Oyo, Says Taiwo Jimoh

By Seyifunmi Odunuga 

 With the political momentum building toward the 2027 general elections, the Oyo State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been urged to close ranks to secure victory at the polls. Hon. Taiwo Jimoh, the party’s candidate for the Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1, issued this clarion call following the presentation of the Certificate of Return to Hazeem Gbolarumi, who has emerged as a central figure in the party’s gubernatorial aspirations.

​In a press statement released to newsmen on Thursday, Hon. Jimoh hailed the development as a significant turning point for the PDP in Oyo State. Declaring that "the land is green" for the party, Jimoh expressed deep confidence that the current political climate favors a PDP resurgence, provided the party remains cohesive and focused on its core objectives.

​"With this mandate now firmly in place, it is time for us to look toward the future with a single, unified purpose," Jimoh stated. "Victory is assured if we stand together as one family. The focus must now shift to consolidating our base and ensuring that every member of our party is moving in the same direction to reclaim Agodi."

​Addressing the internal dynamics of the party, Jimoh specifically called upon those who may have felt sidelined or aggrieved by previous internal processes to return to the fold. Emphasizing the importance of grassroots reconciliation, he urged members to prioritize the collective interest of the party over individual grievances.

​"There is truly no place like home," Jimoh noted in his appeal. "I am inviting every aggrieved member to come back home. Our strength is in our numbers, and our success in the coming election will depend on our ability to bury our differences, heal old wounds, and work toward a common goal. Let us win together."

​Jimoh also took the opportunity to applaud the national leadership of the PDP for the trust and confidence reposed in Gbolarumi’s candidacy. He maintained that the decision reflects the leadership’s strategic commitment to field a candidate capable of navigating the state’s complex political terrain.

​As the party gears up for its campaign, Jimoh’s remarks underscore a growing sentiment among PDP leaders that unity is the ultimate prerequisite for electoral success. With the political machinery now being mobilized across the 33 local government areas, the call for a "big tent" approach suggests that the party is preparing for an aggressive push to consolidate its influence in Oyo State ahead of the upcoming electoral cycle.