“I’ll Be Oyo Governor in 2027, Outperform Makinde” — Gbolarumi Vows, Declares PDP United
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Oyo State, Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi, has expressed strong confidence in his emergence as the next Governor of Oyo State, pledging to deliver experienced, inclusive and purposeful leadership that will surpass the achievements of the incumbent, Governor Seyi Makinde.
Speaking at a media parley held on Sunday, 20th September 2026 at Pentonrise Event Centre, Ibadan, Gbolarumi engaged journalists and party stakeholders on his vision for the state, the future of the PDP and his priorities for governance ahead of the 2027 general elections. The session was moderated by veteran journalist Rotimi Ige.
Dismissing speculation of internal rift within the party, Gbolarumi insisted that the PDP in Oyo State remains united and firmly committed to good governance. “There is no faction in the party anymore. There is nothing like Wike faction or Makinde faction. It is one PDP now,” he declared. He further affirmed his unbroken loyalty to the party, noting that he had never defected since its formation. On the controversy surrounding former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike, Gbolarumi maintained that Wike’s support for President Bola Tinubu did not amount to anti-party conduct, explaining that the party had given prior consent to the arrangement.
Reflecting on his political career, the candidate recalled his active involvement in politics since 1979, his tenure as Oyo State PDP Chairman and his service as Deputy Governor in 2006. A legal practitioner trained at the University of Ibadan, he also holds a Master’s degree in Law from the United Kingdom. Describing himself as a grassroots politician, he said, “I am a grass-rooter. Others are not. I live with my people at the grassroots.”
Outlining his policy agenda, Gbolarumi identified education, infrastructure, healthcare, justice, equity, youth empowerment and industrialisation as central pillars of his proposed administration. He decried the high rate of graduate unemployment and called for a deliberate industrialisation blueprint capable of attracting investors and creating sustainable jobs. He also distanced his campaign from vote-buying practices, stressing that his team would not engage in “stomach infrastructure,” though he acknowledged the necessity of funding branding, publicity and awareness activities.
The PDP Senatorial Candidate for Oyo Central, Hon. Ayobami Olunloyo, also addressed the gathering, identifying sound legislation, strategic constituency projects, agricultural development and private-sector investment as critical drivers of the state’s economic transformation. He advocated the establishment of industrial enclaves, communal storage facilities for farmers, and sustained investment in education and vocational training. Olunloyo further pledged to leverage his Senate platform to promote Oyo State nationally and internationally and to attract strategic partnerships into key sectors of the economy.
The Head of Media, Public Relations and Strategic Communications for the campaign, Chesterfield Efe Ronald, delivered a heartfelt address in which he expressed profound appreciation to the journalists, PDP stakeholders, party faithful and other participants for honouring the invitation and lending their voices to the conversation. He described the media parley as more than a routine engagement, calling it a strategic platform that afforded citizens and critical stakeholders the rare opportunity to participate directly in shaping governance by pinpointing the developmental gaps that demand urgent attention across the various communities of Oyo State. Chesterfield further commended members of the fourth estate for consistently providing a credible avenue through which political candidates can articulate their vision to the electorate, describing their role as indispensable to the sustenance of democracy. He spoke glowingly of the governorship candidate, portraying Gbolarumi as a humble, accessible and thoroughly grounded leader whose willingness to sit with the people, listen to their concerns and absorb divergent perspectives sets him apart in the current political landscape. According to him, such open and sincere engagement between aspirants and the citizenry is essential to rebuilding public trust, deepening democratic participation and ensuring that governance ultimately reflects the true aspirations of the people. He assured attendees that the campaign would sustain this culture of dialogue throughout the road to 2027, promising that every segment of the Oyo State populace would have a seat at the table.
The event was attended by the PDP State Chairman, Prof. Rahman Akinoso; Organising Secretary, Olaniyi Stephen; State Working Committee Auditor, Hon. Ajagbe Oladotun; House of Assembly candidate for Ibadan South-West Constituency II, Hon. Taiwo Jimoh; and the Chairman, Forum of Local Government Chairmen, Hon. Abiola Jimoh, among other party leaders. The state chairman used the occasion to brief attendees on the party’s ongoing preparations and membership structuring ahead of the 2027 elections.
