By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.
As the 2027 general elections approach, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) deputy governorship candidate in Ogun State, Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo, has urged residents to accept any money offered to them by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) but vote against the party at the polls.
Sowunmi-Kolapo, who described the money as belonging to the people, made the call on Friday at a community stakeholders’ meeting held in Obantoko, Odeda Local Government Area of the state.
She lamented the economic hardship being experienced by residents, saying the people had endured enough suffering and should use their votes to bring about a change in government.
The PDP candidate also urged the electorate to protect their votes, while warning against allowing what she described as “strangers” to take control of the state.
“Can you mention someone who remembered us during COVID-19 and was not in government and had no access to public funds? It is only Adebutu. If we allow strangers to rule over us, then we have allowed calamity. We want to protect our heritage,” she said.
She added: “Let your votes be massive and protect your votes. Stand by your votes. There will be security provisions. They may want to offer you money; the money is yours. Take their money and vote for Ladi. This suffering is enough.”
Speaking to residents from American Junction, Asalu, Akete, Akinyele, Akepe Oluwa, Kangudu and other communities in Obantoko, PDP Deputy State Chairman, Abiodun Ogunremi, urged them to demonstrate their support for the party at the 2027 polls.
Ogunremi also called on the electorate to reject any attempt to impose people he described as non-indigenes on the state, urging them not to be intimidated during the elections.
Similarly, a member of the PDP Board of Trustees, Fasiu Bakenne, urged residents to resist intimidation and vote massively for the party.
The PDP House of Representatives candidate for Abeokuta North/Obafemi-Owode/Odeda Federal Constituency, Dele Olaleye, said an administration led by Ladi Adebutu would restore genuine local government autonomy in Ogun State.
According to him, the electorate’s votes would be critical to achieving the PDP’s objective of restoring local government autonomy in the state.
Responding on behalf of the community, the PDP Chairman in Obantoko Ward, Ezekiel Adeleye, assured Sowunmi-Kolapo and other PDP candidates of the community’s support, describing the deputy governorship candidate as a neighbour rather than a distant politician.
“You are one of us and we will vote for you. You live with us here. This is our collective struggle. We will rally people to vote for Hon. Ladi Adebutu and all other candidates of PDP in the 2027 general elections,” Adeleye said.
