The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has unveiled Reverend Cornelius Fawenu as the running mate to its governorship candidate, Bolakale Kawu, for the 2027 governorship election.
The party announced Fawenu’s emergence in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ilorin by its State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara.
According to the statement, Kawu informed the state chairman of the party about his choice after wide consultations with party leaders and stakeholders. The consultations involved representatives from Kwara North, Kwara Central and Kwara South senatorial districts.
Kawu described Fawenu as a leader with integrity, humility and exceptional leadership qualities. He said the cleric’s emergence reflects the party’s commitment to presenting a competent and inclusive ticket.
“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 hails from Babaloma in Ifelodun Local Government Area. He currently serves as the PDP’s Kwara South Senatorial Chairman. He will run alongside Kawu, the Daniyan of Ilorin, who earlier emerged as the party’s governorship candidate.
The PDP said Fawenu emerged after extensive consultations and deliberations. It noted that party leaders subjected all contenders to a rigorous selection process.
“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 said the Kawu-Fawenu ticket combines experience, innovation and grassroots engagement. It also believes the ticket offers religious balance and wider appeal.
“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,” the statement added.
The PDP disclosed that Fawenu was among four prominent personalities considered for the deputy governorship position. Party leaders eventually selected him because of his leadership credentials, loyalty and commitment to the PDP.
The party also cited his contributions to peaceful governance, religious harmony and community development. It said those qualities distinguished him from other contenders.
Fawenu is 53 years old and holds a degree in Biochemistry from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. He is the Presiding Pastor of Oasis of Wisdom Bible Church, Ilorin.
He also served as Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria.
According to the PDP, Fawenu has spent more than 23 years in ministry. During that period, he has promoted interfaith dialogue and peaceful Muslim-Christian coexistence.
The party said he has worked with traditional institutions and communities to advance peace and sustainable development across the state.
The PDP expressed confidence in the Kawu-Fawenu ticket ahead of the 2027 governorship election. It said the duo possesses the competence, integrity and experience needed to govern the state.
“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 statement said.
The party urged members, supporters and residents of the state to rally behind the ticket. It said preparations for the 2027 election are already gathering momentum.
“The Peoples Democratic Party therefore calls on all members of the party, supporters and indeed all well-meaning Kwarans to rally behind this formidable ticket as the movement to reclaim and reposition Kwara State gathers momentum ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the statement added.
Political observers believe the Muslim-Christian ticket could strengthen the PDP’s appeal across religious and regional divides. The party hopes the combination will help broaden its support base ahead of the 2027 governorship contest.
