Party faithful pledge to protect votes as candidate expresses confidence in 2027 electoral victory
Party loyalists of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency of Lagos State have reaffirmed their commitment to the electoral victory of the party’s House of Representatives candidate, Hon. Dr Oladipupo Wilson Diriwari, during a gathering to celebrate his birthday at the party’s secretariat in Bale, Lagos.
The celebration, which attracted party leaders, executives, supporters and residents, featured testimonies about Diriwari’s alleged acts of generosity, prayers for his political success and calls for unity and greater commitment among party members ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Campaign, Pastor Victor Anesedo, said the gathering provided an opportunity to demonstrate that the PDP remained united and determined in Ajeromi-Ifelodun.
“Whatever we declare here today will be evidence to the constituents of Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency that PDP is still united, together and stronger,” Anesedo said.
He explained that the gathering was significant because it celebrated a man whose life, according to him, had positively affected the lives of residents across the constituency.
All the executives of the PDP at the federal constituency level were in attendance.
In his remarks, Emmanuel Okonkwo describing Diriwari as the most suitable candidate to represent the constituency in the legislative business of the National Assembly and urged constituents to acquaint themselves with the candidate’s professional background and accomplishments, expressing confidence in his capacity to provide effective representation.
Similarly, Alfa Abiola Ismaila offered prayers for Diriwari’s emergence as the next representative of the constituency at the National Assembly, describing him as eminently qualified for the position.
Ismaila also prayed for the success of the PDP and its leadership, expressing the hope that members would live to celebrate the party’s anticipated victory together.
He urged party leaders and supporters to remain prayerful and committed throughout the electoral process.
Resident recounts family’s experience
One of the emotional moments of the gathering came when Clarina Ahamefula recounted how she and her five children received assistance from Diriwari following the death of her husband in 2026.
According to her, she first met the PDP candidate at a gathering on Kehinde Street in 2023, but their relationship took on greater significance when her family experienced a difficult period following her husband’s death.
Ahamefula said the assistance she received from Diriwari was unprecedented in her 42 years of living in Nigeria, adding that she had previously voted for other candidates in previous elections without receiving any comparable assistance from public officeholders.
She stressed that Diriwari had supported her family despite never having sought their votes.
“Indeed, he is a nice man, and it is on that premise that I, my friends, family and acquaintances will work for him aggressively because he will bring the dividends of democracy home,” she said.
Her testimony was among several accounts presented by supporters who attributed their decision to support Diriwari to his personal conduct and assistance to individuals in need.
Supporters pledge to protect votes
Alhaji Ibrahim Olagoke, a leader, urged party members to remain steadfast and mobilise support for the PDP candidate ahead of the 2027 election.
He said the gathering was not merely about birthday celebrations or the refreshments provided but also an opportunity for supporters to demonstrate their commitment to Diriwari’s political aspiration.
“We are gathered here not because of the birthday rice and drink, but because we love the man, Hon. Oladipupo Wilson Diriwari, and to declare our resolve to work for his electoral victory,” he said.
Ibrahim called on members to reach out to friends, relatives and colleagues to canvass support for the party, while warning against attempts to undermine their electoral prospects.
“We must stand tough against every force that would want to thwart our electoral victory. We will canvass our friends, families and colleagues, and we have resolved to protect our votes,” he added.
Another supporter, Titi Iyiola, popularly known as Iya Bukky, praised Diriwari for what she described as his uncommon humility, notwithstanding his professional achievements.
She recalled that Diriwari visited her and her family after returning from the United Kingdom and demonstrated a level of humility she had not expected from someone of his professional standing.
According to her, he showed concern about the state of her business and subsequently provided financial assistance to help revive it.
Iyiola said the gesture had strengthened her determination, alongside her family, to support his political ambition, describing their commitment as a way of reciprocating his kindness.
Diriwari: PDP has made significant progress
In his separate response, Diriwari thanked party leaders, supporters and residents for celebrating him and expressing confidence in his candidacy.
He said his interactions with the electorate over the preceding months had strengthened his optimism about the PDP’s prospects in the 2027 general election.
According to him, feedback from residents indicated a growing appetite for a change in the political status quo, while the party’s activities across the constituency had helped reinforce its visibility.
“From the length of time, especially these past few months of my interaction with the electorate in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Federal Constituency, I foresee the coming general election as promising and distinct, and it portends a good outcome for the Peoples Democratic Party,” he said.
Diriwari maintained that residents had demonstrated readiness to support the party, which he said was presenting a credible candidate for the constituency’s House of Representatives seat.
He also commended the PDP’s organisational efforts, urging constituents to assess the party’s presence and mobilisation activities across the constituency.
According to him, the party has made considerable progress in its preparations, although he acknowledged that more work remained to translate its efforts into electoral success.
“Sincerely, we are still pushing our oars to make it translate to certainty, and we have done about 60 per cent of the work towards making our mandate a reality. We have our strategies worked out,” he said.
The candidate further expressed confidence that the electorate would make its decision based on the outcome of the election, rather than accept claims of victory unsupported by the votes cast.
His remarks underscored the importance of grassroots mobilisation, voter engagement and the protection of the electoral process in the party’s preparations for 2027.
Ward chairmen hail candidate’s credentials
In a separate birthday message, the Chairman of the PDP Ward Chairmen Forum in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Local Government Area, Lagos State, Hon. Paul West, described Diriwari as a distinguished scholar, visionary leader and servant of the people.
West highlighted the candidate’s legal and academic qualifications, listed as BL, LLB, LLM and PhD, saying his educational background reflected discipline, intellectual commitment and an understanding of justice and governance.
He also commended Diriwari’s emphasis on a more inclusive constituency in which young people would have greater opportunities, women would be empowered, businesses would prosper and families would experience the benefits of effective representation.
Describing him as a man of integrity, humility and courage, West said the candidate had demonstrated the qualities of a leader who listens to the people and seeks to represent their interests.
He further praised Diriwari’s commitment to the PDP and his aspiration to contribute to the development of Lagos State and Nigeria.
West prayed for the candidate’s continued good health, wisdom, protection and success, expressing the hope that his political ambition would culminate in effective legislative representation, empowerment initiatives and development projects that would benefit future generations.
The Local Government Area (LGA) Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Hon Alhaji Kabiru Adewale Adebiyi, used the occasion to urge party members and supporters to intensify grassroots mobilisation in their respective communities in support of Oladipupo Wilson Diriwari’s electoral ambition.
Kabiru, who said Diriwari had made significant contributions to the PDP since 2019, urged party faithful to publicize his role in the party’s growth and mobilize widespread support for his political aspiration.
The birthday celebration ended on a note of solidarity, with party members renewing their pledges to mobilise support for Diriwari and strengthen the PDP’s grassroots presence across Ajeromi-Ifelodun ahead of the 2027 general election.
