No Receipt, No Official, Just Cameras? Critics Mock Gbolarumi’s PDP Declaration Show.
“Wadata Drama or Real Declaration?” Questions Trail Hazeem Gbolarumi’s Alleged PDP Nomination Submission as Oyo Political Tension Deepens
Fresh controversy has erupted within the political space in Oyo State following reports that former Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Hazeem Gbolarumi, stormed the national headquarters of the People's Democratic Party in Abuja to submit a governorship nomination form ahead of the 2027 political battle.
While photos and videos circulating online showed a crowd of supporters at the PDP National Secretariat, popularly known as Wadata Plaza in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja, several political observers and party insiders have continued to raise critical questions about the authenticity and transparency of the entire exercise.
The development has sparked heated conversations across Oyo State’s political landscape, with many asking a direct question: Did Hazeem Gbolarumi and his supporters actually enter the PDP secretariat to officially obtain or submit any governorship nomination form?
Critics insist that beyond media hype and crowd mobilisation, there has been no publicly verified evidence showing the exact officials who received the supposed nomination documents on behalf of the party.
Political analysts also questioned why no identifiable senior PDP national officer was visibly present in most of the viral photos making rounds online. As of the time of filing this report, no official statement had been released by the PDP national leadership confirming the submission process or acknowledging the receipt of any governorship nomination form from Gbolarumi.
The controversy deepened further after some party loyalists began demanding answers regarding the financial aspect of the exercise. Questions have continued to trail the process, especially concerning the payment details allegedly linked to the nomination form.
Observers are asking: Which bank was used for the payment? Was any official receipt issued? Was the transaction processed through the official party channel?
For many within Oyo’s politically active circles, the situation now appears more symbolic than official. Some critics have openly described the Abuja outing as a carefully staged political show designed primarily to create media momentum ahead of the intense permutations already shaping the Oyo 2027 governorship race.
The skepticism surrounding the event is also connected to the wider internal crisis rocking the PDP at the national level. Many stakeholders referenced the ongoing political battle in Rivers State involving the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and the lingering divisions within the party structure.
Analysts argue that it is ironic for some PDP figures to aggressively push governorship ambitions in Oyo State while the party continues to battle unresolved leadership disputes elsewhere, particularly in Rivers State where the internal crisis has severely affected party unity and structure.
Several commentators pointed out that despite Wike’s enormous influence within the PDP, the political situation in Rivers remains deeply fractured, with accusations, counter-accusations, and uncertainty over party control dominating discussions.
Against that backdrop, some Oyo political stakeholders believe the recent Abuja appearance may have been more about optics and power projection than a fully completed nomination process.
Nonetheless, supporters of Gbolarumi have defended the visit, insisting it was a strategic show of strength and grassroots loyalty. According to members of his camp, the massive turnout at Wadata Plaza reflects growing support for the former deputy governor among party faithful in Oyo State.
Videos circulating online showed enthusiastic supporters chanting PDP slogans and expressing optimism about the future of the party ahead of the next electoral cycle. The atmosphere around the gathering was energetic, with supporters portraying Gbolarumi as a strong contender capable of reshaping the political direction of Oyo State.
Still, critics insist that political branding alone cannot replace due process and transparency.
For many Nigerians watching developments closely, the key issue remains credibility. In an era where staged political events and orchestrated photo opportunities have become increasingly common, voters are demanding verifiable proof rather than carefully curated media narratives.
As political activities gradually gather momentum ahead of 2027, the unfolding drama around Hazeem Gbolarumi’s alleged nomination submission has once again exposed the deep mistrust, factional tensions, and political calculations currently dominating the PDP.
Whether the Abuja outing was a genuine official exercise or merely an elaborate political performance remains a subject of fierce debate across Oyo State’s political circles.
One thing, however, is certain: the battle for Oyo 2027 has unofficially begun, and the controversies are already arriving earlier than expected.
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