••• “We Can No Longer Work in Vain” — Tunde Adeyemi
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) must approach the selection of its Federal House of Representatives candidate for Irepodun/Ekiti/Isin/Oke-Ero Constituency ahead of 2027 as a question of electability, not entitlement this is the message from the Harry Ilori 2027 Project, led by former Ekiti LG PDP Chairman, Alhaji Ganiyu Raji Adeshina.
Adeshina clarified that the growing agitation is not a blanket call to zone the ticket to Ekiti LG, but a specific case for Dr. Harry Ilori, whom he described as a candidate with proven grassroots support and the broad acceptability needed to win. He recalled that in 2019 and 2023, Ekiti LG stepped aside for Oke-Ero to field the candidate — a concession that did not translate into victory. “There is no bad aspirant in this race, but the party must pick the one with the strongest capacity to win,” he said, appealing to Kwara PDP Chairman Hon. Issa Adamu Bawa and national leader Dr. Abubakar Bukola Saraki to weigh the field on that basis.
Hon. Tunde Adeyemi, Secretary of the project and former Supervisory Councillor for Isapa Ward, said party members especially youths who have invested time and resources in PDP cannot afford another campaign built on a candidate without real electoral pull. He described Ilori as accessible, experienced, and genuinely connected to the electorate, and argued that these are the qualities that convert party structure into actual votes.
The group welcomed the emergence of Engr. Kale Kawu and running mate Rev. Cornelius Olaosebikan Fawenu as PDP’s governorship ticket, framing Ilori’s candidacy as part of a broader, winnable slate for 2027. They called on Ekiti LG stakeholders, Kwara South Senatorial officers, the State Working Committee and national leadership to prioritise unity, credibility and electability over sectional interest in making this decision.
“It is time for Kwara PDP to win again. The people’s interest must come first, and 2027 must be about victory and effective representation,” the group stated.
SIGNED:
Alhaji Ganiyu Raji Adeshina
Former PDP Chairman, Ekiti Local Government Area
Chairman, Harry Ilori 2027 Project
Hon. Tunde Adeyemi
Former Supervisory Councillor, Ekiti Local Government Area
Secretary, Harry Ilori 2027 Project