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 announcement was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday in Ilorin by the party's State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara.

Adewara stated that Fawenu's emergence followed extensive consultations with party leaders and stakeholders across the three senatorial districts of the state. He explained that Kawu formally communicated his choice of Fawenu as his preferred deputy governorship candidate in a letter addressed to the state chairman of the party, following what the party described as wide-ranging consultations with party stalwarts and key stakeholders.

In the letter, Kawu described Fawenu as a leader with proven integrity and exceptional leadership qualities.

He said, "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."

The PDP noted that 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.

According to the party, 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 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 read.

The PDP added that the Kawu-Fawenu ticket reflected its commitment to competence, inclusiveness, and balanced representation.

"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 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. He 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 (CAN).

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 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 read.

"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," it added.

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.