Thousands of residents and supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party trooped into the streets of Ogun Central Senatorial District on Wednesday as the party officially commenced its campaign for the 2027 presidential and National Assembly elections.

The campaign train moved through the three federal constituencies in Ogun Central, with residents and party supporters gathering in large numbers to welcome the party’s candidates and leaders.

The campaign began at Agbado Station in Ifo/Ewekoro Federal Constituency, where supporters welcomed the PDP governorship candidate in Ogun State, Ladi Adebutu; his running mate, Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo; the party’s Ogun Central senatorial candidate, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo; and other party leaders.

In Abeokuta North Federal Constituency, where Dele Olaleye is the party’s House of Representatives candidate, a large crowd gathered at NTA Junction, Totoro, to receive the campaign team.

Residents and supporters chanted solidarity songs as the candidates promised purposeful representation at the senatorial and federal constituency levels.

The campaign train later moved to Abeokuta South Federal Constituency, where thousands of supporters received the team and followed the convoy to Ake Pavilion, venue of the Ogun Central flag-off rally.

Speaking at the rally, Adebutu urged residents to support Obasanjo, describing her as a tested and trusted candidate whose track record while representing the district had not been matched.

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He urged the people of Ogun Central to reject what he described as non-performance and vote for the PDP in the 2027 election.

Adebutu said, “I want to remind you that the best times of Nigeria have largely emerged under the leadership of our great party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), exemplified by what Baba Obasanjo did as a cornerstone for his successors. Happy days are coming again, very, very soon. In January, a new dawn will break for the betterment of our people.”

He also urged voters to reject the All Progressives Congress government, saying, “I therefore urge you all to make up your mind to reject this oppressive APC government with your vote. You must chart a better tomorrow for yourself and your children. You must all turn out in your large numbers to vote for the PDP in the coming 2027 elections.”

Adebutu further called on supporters to protect their votes and resist intimidation during the election.

“Be ready to stand by your votes, resist intimidation and use the power of the ballot to say enough is enough to misgovernance and maladministration,” he said.

The PDP governorship candidate added that the party would restore what he described as the country’s best times if returned to power.

On her part, Obasanjo said she was encouraged by the fact that residents continued to remember her contributions during her time in office.

She represented the district from 2007 to 2011 and served as Ogun State Commissioner for Health from 2003 to 2007.

The daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo promised to do more to ensure that the people benefited from the dividends of democracy.

She also appealed to residents to support the PDP’s return to power, saying the party would work towards making life more comfortable and rewarding for people across the state.

Residents and supporters who spoke during the campaign pledged their loyalty to the PDP candidates and assured them of their votes in the January 2027 elections.

The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), Adewole Adebayo, has criticised former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar over his proposal to restore petrol subsidy if elected president in 2027.

Adebayo made the criticism on Wednesday during an interview with News Central, accusing Atiku of changing his position on petrol subsidy ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has said he would introduce measures to reduce the burden of petrol prices on Nigerians if elected president.

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He has argued that Nigeria has sufficient resources to provide relief for citizens, while explaining that his proposal would involve using the country’s crude oil resources to support domestic refining and reduce the cost of petroleum products.

However, Adebayo said Atiku’s current position was inconsistent with his stance during the 2023 presidential election.

“My colleagues are changing parties, changing manifesto. For example, Vice President Atiku Abubakar said four years ago he will remove subsidy on day one and he will sell NNPC. Now four years later, he is in another party saying no, I am going to restore subsidy,” Adebayo said.

The SDP candidate questioned the rationale behind the change, noting that Atiku had previously described the subsidy regime as economically unsustainable.

“Something that was in place, you said you will remove it. Now your colleague removed it. Now you say you want to put it back. Inconsistency,” Adebayo said.

President Bola Tinubu removed the petrol subsidy shortly after assuming office in May 2023. The decision resulted in a significant increase in petrol prices and placed additional economic pressure on households and businesses.

Atiku has, however, maintained that his proposed intervention would not simply mean a return to the previous subsidy regime.

His position is that Nigeria’s crude oil resources could be used to support domestic refining and help lower the cost of petroleum products.

Beyond the subsidy debate, Adebayo also criticised the movement of politicians between political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He argued that frequent defections had weakened ideological consistency in Nigerian politics, with politicians changing parties and, in some cases, changing their policy positions.

“Everybody who ran against me last time, apart from AAC candidate (Omoyele Sowore), has gone to another political party,” Adebayo said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has denied reports that it has withdrawn the list of its 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, describing the reports as rumours.

The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, made the clarification on Tuesday following reports that the ruling party had withdrawn the campaign council list recently released as part of preparations for the 2027 general elections.

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Morka, while speaking with TheCable, said there was no basis for the reports, stressing that the party would formally announce any changes to the campaign council list.

“It’s rumour. If there is any change to the list, it will be formally announced,” he said.

The controversy followed reactions to the composition of the campaign council, with some APC members and stakeholders expressing concerns over the inclusion or exclusion of certain party figures.

The development subsequently fuelled speculation that the party could alter the composition of its campaign structure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

However, Morka’s latest statement indicates that the APC has not officially withdrawn the list.

He further maintained that any adjustment to the campaign council would be communicated through the appropriate channels of the party.

President Bola Tinubu is seeking re-election in the 2027 presidential election, with the APC already putting structures in place ahead of the polls.