A former deputy governor of Oyo State Barr. Hazeem Gbolarumi has declared his intention to contest for the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket in the 2027 election.
The PDP chieftain disclosed this in another interview with reporters in Ibadan, the state capital on Monday.
Gbolarumi has been a member and chieftain of the PDP since 1999.
He explained that his ambition was fueled by passion for public service and track record of performance as a public servant, community leader and social crusader. The politician said he has dedicated his life to empowering individuals and transforming communities, stressing that the platform of the office of a governor will afford him the opportunity to widen his impacts.
Gbolarumi revealed that he had already notified Governor Seyi Makinde of his intention through a letter, assuring that he would build on his good work.
With his move, Gbolarumi will be the first politician to formally and openly declare for the 2027 governorship race in Oyo State.
The former deputy governor holds LLM in International Business and Marine Law in United Kingdom, having graduated from the Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan in 2014.
Gbolarumi’s higher education trajectory remains inspiring for many as he returned to school after courting fame during his reign as the deputy governor, and serving as personal assistant to the late famous Ibadan politician Chief Lamidi Adedibu. He left office as deputy governor in 2006 and started pursuing higher education – Law degree at the University of Ibadan in 2009.
Prior to his PDP fame, Gbolarumi had served as Secretary, Ibadan Municipal Government in 1991; Oyo State Secretary, Social Democratic Party (SDP) in 1993.
Before, and during his early days in politics, Gbolarumi has been an entrepreneur operating in farming, construction and procurement. He is the proprietor of the proposed Ibadan Metropolitan University.
A grassroots mobilizer, bold and brave politician, Gbolarumi is also a philanthropist who has brought succor and smile to the faces of many residents in the state.
