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The Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Hajia Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, has declared that no amount of money can influence the conscience of voters ahead of the 2027 governorship election. She insisted that residents would determine the outcome of the poll through their votes rather than allow financial inducements to dictate their political choices.
Sowunmi-Kolapo made the statement on Thursday, November 12, 2026, while addressing supporters who gathered to receive her during a condolence visit to a bereaved party supporter, Alhaja Kuburat Sowunmi, in Ijemo, Abeokuta.
The deputy governorship candidate said her experience during the PDP’s ward-to-ward mobilisation exercise across the state had convinced her that voters were increasingly determined to make independent electoral decisions.
According to her, politicians who depend on distributing money to secure electoral support will eventually waste their resources because financial inducements cannot permanently change the political preferences of the people.
She argued that the electorate had become more conscious of the importance of choosing leaders based on their expectations for the state’s future. She also expressed confidence that the PDP would secure victory in Ogun State in 2027, despite the political strength of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“The politics of throwing money around will only drain the spender rather than suppress the will of Ogun State indigenes and residents,” she said.
Her comments come as political parties intensify grassroots mobilisation and position themselves ahead of the next governorship election. The contest is expected to focus on the performance of the incumbent administration, the economic condition of residents, infrastructure, employment and the ability of candidates to convince voters that they can improve governance in the state. THISDAYLIVE+1
Sowunmi-Kolapo, who is also known as the Iya Sunnah of Egbaland, maintained that the PDP’s ongoing engagement with communities had strengthened her belief that the party could defeat the APC at the ballot box.
She claimed that the party had continued to attract thousands of defectors from the ruling party during its mobilisation activities. According to her, the movement of politicians and supporters into the PDP demonstrated growing dissatisfaction with the APC and indicated that the opposition was gaining ground.
However, the claim about the number of defectors was made by the PDP candidate and was not accompanied by independently verified figures. The actual strength of the party’s support will ultimately be tested during the election.
Sowunmi-Kolapo also dismissed what she described as propaganda surrounding the exclusion of names from the Independent National Electoral Commission’s list. She argued that the issue would not discourage the PDP from pursuing its political activities or mobilising supporters across Ogun State.
She maintained that residents would express their preferences through the ballot and insisted that the party’s growing grassroots presence would translate into electoral success.
PDP expresses confidence in Ladi Adebutu’s governorship ambition
The deputy governorship candidate used the occasion to reaffirm her support for the PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, describing him as the person who would emerge as Ogun State’s next governor.
She also expressed confidence in the electoral prospects of other PDP candidates, including former senator Iyabo Obasanjo, Omo Owo, Toyin Amuzu and Dele Olaleye.
Sowunmi-Kolapo said the party was confident of winning the governorship election and securing victories in other political contests scheduled for 2027.
Her declaration reflects the PDP’s strategy of presenting its candidates as a credible alternative to the APC administration in Ogun State. The party is seeking to build support around its candidates, local political networks and the message that the state’s resources should deliver greater benefits to residents.
She described the Adebutu-Sowunmi-Kolapo ticket as an “Ogun for Ogun” agenda, arguing that the state’s resources should primarily serve the interests of its people.
According to her, the political future of Ogun State should not be determined by the financial influence of wealthy individuals or political groups. She urged residents to consider the long-term consequences of their electoral decisions rather than accept temporary financial benefits.
She further appealed to indigenes who had not aligned themselves with the PDP to reconsider their political positions, saying that the interests of future generations should take priority over individual political calculations.
Sowunmi-Kolapo argued that some people supporting other political parties would eventually return to the PDP when they considered what she described as the importance of protecting the state’s political and economic interests.
She also criticised politicians who, in her view, use financial resources to influence political decisions, insisting that Ogun State could not be conquered with money belonging to Nigeria.
Her remarks introduced a strong regional identity argument into the PDP’s campaign message. The “Ogun for Ogun” slogan is intended to appeal to residents who believe that local interests, heritage and control of the state’s resources should play a central role in determining its political leadership. Platform Times+1
Supporters accuse APC government of failing residents
The condolence visit in Ijemo also became an opportunity for PDP supporters to express their views about the political situation in Ogun State.
The gathering reportedly developed into a campaign-style event, with residents singing solidarity songs, dancing and chanting “Ogun for Ogun! Power to the people!”
Some participants pledged to mobilise support for the PDP through house-to-house campaigns and encourage residents to protect their votes during the 2027 election.
Several supporters attributed their preference for Adebutu to his reported philanthropic activities and interventions in communities across the state. They mentioned assistance to market women, widows, farmers and students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds.
A pastor from Oke-Ijemo, Caleb Alao, criticised the APC administration, alleging that some development programmes established during previous PDP governments had been abandoned.
He also raised concerns about unemployment and the economic difficulties facing residents, arguing that the state needed a government that would pay greater attention to the welfare of ordinary people.
Alao said Adebutu had supported market women and assisted indigent students with school fees even before seeking another political office. He presented these activities as evidence of the governorship candidate’s commitment to community development.
His comments reflect the PDP’s attempt to use Adebutu’s philanthropic activities as part of its campaign argument. The party is positioning his reported interventions as evidence that he understands the challenges facing residents and has maintained relationships with communities outside formal political office.
A community women leader, Folake Adeyemi, also praised Adebutu’s foundation for its reported support for widows and farmers. She criticised the rising cost of food and education, arguing that households needed a government capable of responding to their economic difficulties.
Adeyemi also commended Sowunmi-Kolapo for her community empowerment activities. She claimed that the deputy governorship candidate had organised empowerment programmes in the area twice a year for approximately seven years.
According to her, the programmes demonstrated Sowunmi-Kolapo’s commitment to community support beyond the election period.
The women leader expressed confidence that residents would support the PDP ticket and protect their votes during the election. THISDAYLIVE+1
Ogun 2027 election campaign begins to take shape
The political exchanges highlight the growing competition between the APC and PDP as both parties prepare for the 2027 governorship election.
For the PDP, one of its central arguments is that the current administration has not adequately addressed the economic and social concerns of residents. Its campaign message is increasingly focused on the cost of living, unemployment, support for small businesses and the need for government policies that directly benefit communities.
The APC, meanwhile, will have to defend its record in government and convince voters that it deserves another opportunity to lead the state.
The contest is likely to involve more than campaign promises and political endorsements. Voters will also assess the candidates’ experience, policy proposals, credibility, public records and ability to address the practical challenges facing Ogun State.
The debate over money and electoral influence raised by Sowunmi-Kolapo is particularly relevant because vote-buying remains a recurring concern in Nigerian elections. Political parties and election observers have repeatedly raised questions about the use of cash and other material incentives to influence voters.
Although candidates may spend money on legitimate campaign activities, offering financial inducements in exchange for votes undermines the principle of free electoral choice. The credibility of an election depends on citizens being able to support candidates without intimidation, coercion or improper financial pressure.
Sowunmi-Kolapo’s statement is therefore an attempt to frame the 2027 contest as a choice between financial influence and the independent decision of the electorate. Her challenge to political opponents is that they should seek public support through their records, policies and engagement with residents rather than rely on money.
However, the PDP will also need to demonstrate that its own campaign can translate its promises into a credible programme for governing the state. Claims of growing support and political defections will need to be tested against actual electoral performance.
The party’s “Ogun for Ogun” agenda will also require clearer explanations of how its proposed approach would improve public services, employment opportunities, infrastructure and economic development.
For voters, the most important question will be whether the candidates can offer practical solutions to the problems affecting households and businesses across the state.
Political mobilisation intensifies ahead of 2027
Sowunmi-Kolapo’s remarks indicate that the PDP intends to intensify its grassroots campaign ahead of the next election. Her reference to ward-to-ward mobilisation suggests that the party is placing importance on direct engagement with voters rather than relying exclusively on large political rallies.
Such mobilisation can help political parties understand local concerns, identify influential community groups and build relationships with residents before election day.
The PDP’s strategy also involves using the public profile of its candidates and supporters to strengthen its message across different communities. Adebutu’s philanthropic activities and Sowunmi-Kolapo’s reported empowerment programmes are being presented as part of the ticket’s appeal.
Nevertheless, the party faces the challenge of turning public expressions of support into actual votes. A crowd at a political gathering does not necessarily represent the preferences of the wider electorate, while claims of defections do not automatically translate into victory.
The APC and other political groups will also have opportunities to organise their supporters and present their own arguments to voters before the election.
For now, Sowunmi-Kolapo remains confident that Ogun residents will reject attempts to influence their choices with money. She insists that the PDP has the support required to defeat the ruling party and deliver victory for Adebutu in 2027.
Whether that prediction becomes reality will depend on the strength of the competing campaigns, the candidates’ ability to address public concerns and, ultimately, the decisions Ogun voters make at the ballot box.
