By Zuleihat Owuiye, Nigeria

The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed Prince Omar Bolaji Gambari as Director-General of its campaign organisation for the 2027 governorship election.

Gambari, an international lawyer and entrepreneur, will be responsible for coordinating the party’s campaign structure in support of its governorship candidate, Suleiman Bolakale Kawu Agaka.

The appointment was announced following an expanded meeting of the Kwara PDP leadership, which was presided over by the party’s state chairman, Isa Bawa Adamu. The party said the decision was part of its preparations for the 2027 governorship election.

In a statement issued in Ilorin, the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, said Gambari was among the aspirants who participated in the party’s 2026 governorship primary.

Kawu eventually emerged as the party’s candidate after the primary, while Gambari subsequently remained active in the party’s political activities.

Following the primary, there had been speculation that Gambari was dissatisfied with the outcome. However, the reports were later dismissed, and he continued to participate in the party’s activities rather than leaving the organisation.

His new appointment places him in charge of coordinating the party’s campaign organisation as it prepares for the next governorship election in the state.

The PDP said Gambari’s professional background would be relevant to the responsibilities attached to the position. According to the party, his experience covers areas including international law, finance, entrepreneurship and real estate.

Other reports on the appointment also cited his involvement in agriculture, community development and strategic advisory work. The party said these experiences would be useful in managing a campaign structure involving people from different backgrounds and generations.

Gambari is the son of Professor Ibrahim Gambari, who served as Chief of Staff to former President Muhammadu Buhari. He is also associated with the Ilorin Emirate royal family.

The appointment comes as political parties in Kwara begin preparations for the 2027 governorship election. Gambari’s role will involve coordinating the campaign machinery of the PDP candidate and working with party structures across the state.

As a former participant in the party’s governorship primary, his appointment also means that a former aspirant will now be involved in the campaign organisation of the candidate who emerged from the same selection process.

The party described Gambari as bringing professional experience, organisational exposure and knowledge of the state’s political environment to the position. It also highlighted his engagement with young people in Kwara as one of the factors relevant to his new role.

The campaign Director-General will be expected to work with party leaders, stakeholders and supporters in coordinating activities ahead of the election.

The PDP’s announcement did not provide a detailed timetable for the campaign or outline specific activities that would immediately follow Gambari’s appointment.

However, the party said the decision represented another stage in its preparations for the 2027 governorship contest.

The appointment also comes at a time when political parties across Nigeria are beginning to organise their structures ahead of the 2027 elections. In Kwara, the PDP is expected to continue building its campaign organisation around Kawu, who emerged as the party’s governorship candidate during its 2026 primary.

For Gambari, the new position represents a shift from being a contender for the party’s governorship ticket to becoming part of the campaign leadership supporting the eventual candidate.

His continued involvement in the party after the primary was cited by the PDP as part of the background to his appointment.

The party will now look to the new campaign leadership to coordinate its activities and establish the structures needed for the governorship contest.

Gambari’s responsibilities are expected to include bringing together different parts of the campaign organisation, facilitating coordination among party stakeholders and helping manage campaign activities as the election approaches.

The PDP has not yet announced all members of the campaign organisation, meaning further appointments and details about the structure could emerge as preparations continue.

For now, the appointment of Gambari gives the Kwara PDP a named official responsible for coordinating its campaign organisation for the 2027 governorship election.

The party’s governorship candidate, Suleiman Bolakale Kawu Agaka, will contest under the PDP banner, while Gambari will oversee the campaign structure established to support his candidacy.

The development marks an early step in the party’s preparations for the 2027 contest in Kwara State.