Former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Hazeem Gbolarumi, has emerged as the governorship flagbearer of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the 2027 election after recording an overwhelming victory in the party’s statewide primary election.
The exercise, conducted on Sunday, May 24, 2026, across all 33 local government areas and more than 300 political wards in the state, drew party leaders, delegates, observers, and officials from the PDP’s national leadership.
Voting reportedly proceeded peacefully under heavy security presence, with party officials describing the process as credible, transparent and devoid of major controversies.
Final collation of results took place at the Nigeria Union of Journalists secretariat in Ibadan in the presence of representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, and party stakeholders.
Declaring the outcome of the primary, Chairman of the PDP Governorship Primary Election Committee in Oyo State, Tolulope Awoniyi, announced that 3,640 delegates were accredited to participate in the exercise.
According to the committee, Gbolarumi secured 3,615 votes to defeat fellow aspirant, Beulah Adeoye, who polled 22 votes.
Awoniyi subsequently declared Gbolarumi winner of the contest and officially returned him as the PDP candidate for the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State.
He explained that the committee ensured fairness throughout the process and engaged aspirants, party elders and delegates ahead of voting to promote unity within the party.
The committee chairman also noted that no official complaint or petition was lodged during the exercise, describing the primary as one of the smoothest internal elections conducted by the party in recent times.
Speaking after the announcement, the state PDP Chairman, Abdulrahman Akinoso, praised party members for their orderly conduct and said the peaceful process demonstrated the PDP’s commitment to democratic principles and internal cohesion.
In his acceptance speech, Gbolarumi thanked delegates, supporters and party leaders across the state for entrusting him with the party’s ticket, promising to unite members and reposition the PDP for victory in the 2027 governorship race.
He described the outcome as a collective triumph for loyal party members and pledged to pursue inclusive leadership and people-oriented governance if elected.
The former deputy governor also appealed to party faithful and supporters of other aspirants to remain united, stressing that reconciliation and cooperation would be crucial to the PDP’s success in the forthcoming general election.
Gbolarumi expressed confidence that the PDP would retain its dominance in Oyo State, insisting that the party remained strongly connected to the aspirations of the people and prepared to provide responsible leadership for the state.
