Former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Hazeem Gbolarumi, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2027 election after recording a sweeping victory in the party’s primary election held across the state on Sunday.
Gbolarumi secured 3,615 votes to defeat his only challenger, Beulah Adeoye, who polled 22 votes in the exercise conducted across the 33 local government areas and over 300 wards in Oyo State.
The outcome sparked jubilation among party supporters and loyalists, who celebrated the former deputy governor’s emergence with songs and chants at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Secretariat in Ibadan, where the collation of results took place.
The primary election was conducted under tight security and monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), party stakeholders and security operatives.
Declaring the result on Sunday evening, the Chairman of the PDP Governorship Primary Election Committee in Oyo State, Tolulope Awoniyi, said 3,640 delegates were accredited for the exercise.
According to him, Gbolarumi emerged winner after scoring the highest number of valid votes cast.
“The total number of registered members is 3,694, while the total number of accredited voters is 3,640,” Awoniyi said.
“Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi scored 3,615 votes, while Amofin Beulah Adeoye scored 22 votes.
“By the powers conferred on me as Chairman of the PDP Governorship Primary Election Committee in Oyo State, I hereby declare Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi as the winner, having scored the highest number of votes.”
Awoniyi commended party members for the peaceful conduct of the exercise, noting that the committee ensured fairness and transparency throughout the process.
He added that the committee met with aspirants and stakeholders before the commencement of voting to promote unity and peaceful participation among members.
The exercise was also witnessed by the Oyo State PDP Chairman, Abdulrahman Akinoso, who described the primary as peaceful and a reflection of the party’s commitment to internal democracy.
In his acceptance speech, Gbolarumi expressed appreciation to delegates, party leaders and supporters for the confidence reposed in him, promising to lead the PDP to victory in the 2027 governorship election.
“I want to thank all our delegates, leaders and supporters across the 33 local government areas for believing in our vision for Oyo State,” he said.
“This victory is not for me alone but for every genuine member of the PDP who desires progress, fairness and inclusiveness in governance.”
The PDP candidate declared that the party remained the most popular political platform in Oyo State and expressed confidence that it would reclaim power in the next governorship election.
He also called for reconciliation within the party, urging aggrieved members and supporters to unite and work collectively for the success of the PDP ahead of the 2027 polls.
