Oyo 2027: NDC Raises Election Banner as Adebola Emerges Consensus Candidate, Party Produces Full List of Flagbearers

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has formally thrown its hat into the ring for the 2027 general elections in Oyo State after successfully conducting a comprehensive primary election that produced candidates for the governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly seats.

The colourful exercise, held on Friday, May 29, at the party’s temporary state secretariat on Adebajo Street, Aare Bodija, Ibadan, attracted party delegates, stakeholders and supporters from across the state, creating an atmosphere of celebration, unity and political optimism.

Officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies were present throughout the exercise.
The high point of the event was the affirmation of Hon. Akim Yussuf Adebola (Omolúàbí) as the party’s consensus governorship candidate for the 2027 governorship election.

The emergence of Adebola was greeted with loud applause and jubilation from party members, many of whom described the development as the beginning of a new chapter for the party in Oyo State.

Speaking at the gathering, the State Chairman of NDC, Princess Oyeronke Bolajoko, commended party members for their loyalty and unwavering commitment to the ideals of the party.

Bolajoko said the successful conduct of the primaries further demonstrated that the NDC remains one of the most peaceful and organized political platforms in the country.

The chairman, who noted that she remains one of the few female political party chairpersons in Nigeria, described NDC as a movement committed to national development, social justice and economic prosperity.

She maintained that the country needs a fresh direction capable of addressing the rising challenges of poverty, unemployment and insecurity confronting citizens.

Bolajoko also used the occasion to voice concern over the abduction of schoolchildren and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area, calling on security agencies and government authorities to intensify efforts towards securing their immediate release.
“No society can progress when its children are unsafe,” she stressed.

In his acceptance remarks, Adebola painted a vision of an economically vibrant Oyo State driven by agriculture, industrialization, quality education and massive job creation.

The governorship candidate emphasized that the greatest wealth of any society lies in its human resources, adding that Oyo State possesses an abundance of talented and innovative young people capable of transforming the state’s fortunes if given the right opportunities.

He pledged to prioritize youth development, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition programmes aimed at reducing unemployment and stimulating economic growth.
Adebola also joined calls for the safe rescue of the abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire, describing the incident as painful and unacceptable.

The NDC standard-bearer expressed gratitude to the party leadership and members for entrusting him with the governorship ticket and promised to reward their confidence with purposeful and people-focused leadership.

Beyond the governorship race, the party also unveiled candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives and House of Assembly positions across Oyo State, completing one of the most extensive primary election exercises among emerging political parties in the state.

For the Senate, Pastor Mrs. Abigail Olanike Ojekunle emerged for Oyo North, Dr. Paul Oche Adoyi for Oyo South and Mr. Akeem Salawu for Oyo Central.

Candidates also emerged across the 14 federal constituencies in the state for the House of Representatives, while winners of the House of Assembly primaries were officially announced, completing the party’s lineup for the 2027 elections.

Party leaders described the exercise as a landmark achievement, saying the emergence of candidates at all levels demonstrates the growing acceptance and organizational strength of the NDC across Oyo State.

With its candidates now in place from the governorship down to the state assembly level, the party says it is ready to take its message of change, economic revival and people-centred governance to every corner of the state.

Political observers believe the successful conclusion of the primaries has positioned the NDC as one of the parties to watch as preparations for the 2027 elections gradually gather momentum.