Former Oyo State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Hazeem Gbolarumi, has emerged as the gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State following a keenly contested primary election conducted across wards in the state.
Gbolarumi defeated fellow aspirant, Barrister Beulah Adeoye, in the exercise monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, security agencies, and party stakeholders from across the state.
The election collation process was witnessed by the Head of Department of Election and Party Monitoring, INEC Oyo State, Engineer Olugbenga Keshinro, alongside party members and security operatives.
Announcing the results on Sunday evening, the chairman of the election committee, Awoniyi, disclosed that Gbolarumi secured a total of 3,615 votes to emerge victorious, while Barrister Beulah Adeoye polled 22 votes.
According to him, a total of 3,694 party members were registered for the exercise, while 3,640 voters were accredited.
“Total number of scores by candidates: Hazeem Gbolarumi scored a total of 3,615 votes. Amofin Beulah Adeoye scored 22 votes,” Awoniyi declared.
“Going by the results, by the power conferred on me as the Chairman of the PDP gubernatorial election in Oyo State, I hereby declare Barrister Hazeem Gbolarumi as the winner of the election, having scored the highest number of votes.”
Gbolarumi’s emergence marks a major political comeback for the former deputy governor, who served during one of the most turbulent periods in Oyo State’s political history following the controversial impeachment of former Governor and current Olubadan of Ibadanland, Rashidi Ladoja.
Following Ladoja’s impeachment, the late former Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala was sworn in as governor, with Gbolarumi appointed deputy governor during the highly contentious political transition.
His emergence is expected to intensify political permutations ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Oyo State as parties begin strategic mobilisations across the state.
