ABEOKUTA, NIGERIA — The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State has officially unveiled veteran journalist and public relations strategist, Alhaja Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, as its deputy governorship candidate for the upcoming 2027 election.
Sowunmi-Kolapo, the former Group Business Editor of The Punch newspapers, was formally presented on Monday as the running mate to the party’s 2027 gubernatorial flagbearer, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, during a heavily attended ceremony at the PDP State Secretariat in Abeokuta.
The event drew an array of party stakeholders, youth groups, and women organizations. Most notably, it featured the appearance of Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Her presence effectively confirmed widespread political speculation regarding her return to the PDP following her recent resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC
In his address, the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, described the selection of Sowunmi-Kolapo as the product of exhaustive consultations aimed at presenting a credible, competent, and compassionate alternative to the people of Ogun State.
Adebutu, who is making his third bid for the state’s top job, expressed supreme confidence that the political tides have shifted in the PDP’s favor.
”I have delved into the archives to find someone with acumen, that is dedicated, competent, transparent, and compassionate,” Adebutu said. “In that pursuit, I found the Iya Suna of Egbaland, an accomplished journalist of repute and entrepreneur of excellence. Together, we shall deliver the people of Ogun State from the incompetent government of the APC come 2027.”
The State Chairman of the party, Dr. Abayomi Tella, echoed these sentiments, asserting that the ticket represents the “best hands” to steer the state forward. He charged party faithful to intensify grassroots mobilization across all 20 Local Government Areas.
Accepting the nomination, Sowunmi-Kolapo expressed gratitude to the party leadership for the confidence reposed in her, characterizing her emergence as a call to sacrifice and public service.
She pledged unwavering loyalty to the party’s vision and promised to leverage her 26-year career in media, corporate governance, and public policy to co-architect a government that prioritizes economic expansion, youth empowerment, and infrastructure.
”Our mission is to restore hope to the people of Ogun State,” Sowunmi-Kolapo declared. “We are committed to building a government that listens to the people, responds to their needs, and ensures that no community is left behind in the development process.”
Sowunmi-Kolapo brings an extensive resume to the 2027 ticket. Beyond her trailblazing media career as the first female Group Business Editor at The Punch and current Publisher of The Point Newspaper, she is a seasoned technocrat. She previously served as the Special Adviser on Corporate Communications and Strategy to the former Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, under the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.
She also boasts deep administrative political experience, having previously served as the National Publicity Secretary for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) between 2018 and 2020.
With the Obasanjo political machinery seemingly aligning with the Adebutu-Kolapo ticket, political analysts expect a fiercely contested battle for the Gateway State in 2027.
