2027: Kwara PDP unveils deputy gov candidate

The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kwara State has unveiled Reverend Cornelius Fawenu as running mate to its governorship candidate, Bolakale Kawu, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The party announced Fawenu’s selection in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ilorin by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara.

Adewara said the choice of Fawenu followed wide consultations with party leaders, stakeholders and members across the three senatorial districts of the state.

According to the PDP, Kawu formally communicated his choice of Fawenu to the state chairman of the party after what it described as extensive consultations with key party figures.

Kawu described Fawenu as a man of integrity, humility and leadership capacity.

“Rev. Fawenu is a man of proven integrity, humility, compassion and exceptional leadership whose emergence reflects the party’s commitment to presenting a competent, inclusive and people-oriented ticket capable of restoring purposeful governance to Kwara State,” he said.

Fawenu, an indigene of Babaloma in Ifelodun Local Government Area, is the current Kwara South Senatorial Chairman of the PDP.

He will run with Kawu, the Daniyan of Ilorin, who had earlier emerged as the party’s governorship candidate for the 2027 poll.

The PDP said the selection process was thorough and inclusive, involving the governorship candidate and critical stakeholders from Kwara North, Kwara Central and Kwara South.

“The emergence of Reverend Fawenu followed extensive consultations, deliberations and a rigorous selection process involving the party’s governorship candidate and critical stakeholders from the three senatorial districts of the state,” the statement said.

The party added that the Kawu-Fawenu ticket was designed to reflect competence, inclusiveness, grassroots reach and balanced representation.

“The Kawu-Fawenu ticket combines experience, innovation, grassroots engagement and religious balancing. The party has positioned itself to rescue and secure Kwara and its people from the current misgovernance and insecurity,” it added.

The PDP disclosed that the 53-year-old cleric was picked from among four prominent personalities considered for the deputy governorship slot.

It said Fawenu was selected because of his leadership credentials, loyalty to the party, commitment to its ideals and contributions to peaceful governance, religious harmony and community development.

Fawenu is a graduate of Biochemistry from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He is also the Presiding Pastor of Oasis of Wisdom Bible Church, Ilorin, and a former Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria.

According to the party, he has spent more than 23 years in ministry, promoting interfaith dialogue, Muslim-Christian coexistence and community peace.

The PDP expressed confidence that the Kawu-Fawenu ticket has the competence and integrity needed to govern Kwara State if elected.

“The Kawu/Fawenu ticket embodies the competence, integrity, experience and inclusive leadership required to rescue Kwara State from the last eight years of hardship and insecurity and place it firmly on the path of sustainable development, economic prosperity, social justice and accountable governance,” the party said.

It called on members, supporters and residents of the state to rally behind the ticket as the opposition party prepares for the 2027 election.

The Muslim-Christian ticket is expected to broaden the PDP’s appeal across religious and regional lines as the party seeks to reclaim power in Kwara State.