Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has unveiled Reverend Cornelius Fawenu as the running mate to its governorship candidate, Bolakale Kawu, for the 2027 governorship election.
The announcement was contained in a statement today in Ilorin by the party’s State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olusegun Adewara.
Mr. Adewara said Fawenu’s emergence followed extensive consultations with party leaders and stakeholders across the three senatorial districts of the state.
According to the statement, Engr Kawu formally communicated his choice of Fawenu as his preferred deputy governorship candidate in a letter addressed to the state chairman of the party after what it described as wide-ranging consultations with party stalwarts and key stakeholders.
Kawu, in the letter, described Fawenu as a leader with proven integrity and exceptional leadership qualities.
The PDP said Fawenu, an indigene of Babaloma in Ifelodun Local Government Area and the current Kwara South Senatorial Chairman of the party, would pair with Kawu, the Daniyan of Ilorin, who earlier emerged as the party’s governorship candidate.
It said the selection process was thorough and inclusive, involving the governorship candidate and critical stakeholders from Kwara North, Kwara Central and Kwara South senatorial districts.
The PDP added that the Kawu-Fawenu ticket reflected its commitment to competence, inclusiveness and balanced representation.
The party disclosed that the 53-year-old cleric was among four prominent personalities considered for the deputy governorship position before emerging as the preferred choice.
It said Fawenu was selected based on his leadership credentials, loyalty to the party, commitment to its ideals and contributions to peaceful governance, religious harmony and community development across the state.
A graduate of Biochemistry from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Fawenu is the Presiding Pastor of Oasis of Wisdom Bible Church, Ilorin and a former Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria.
According to the PDP, the cleric has spent more than 23 years in ministry, during which he has championed interfaith dialogue, promoted peaceful Muslim-Christian coexistence and worked with traditional institutions and communities to advance peace and sustainable development.
The party expressed confidence that its governorship ticket possessed the competence and integrity needed to govern the state if elected.
The Muslim-Christian ticket is expected to enhance the PDP’s appeal across the state’s religious and regional divides as it seeks to broaden its support base ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
