From Taiye Joseph, Ilorin
The Kwara State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has appointed Prince Omar Gambari (OBG), an international lawyer and entrepreneur, as Director-General of its 2027 governorship campaign organisation.
The appointment was reached at an expanded meeting of the party leadership and its governorship candidate, Engr. Suleiman Kawu Agaka, presided over by the State Chairman, Hon. Isa Adamu.
In a statement issued in Ilorin on Wednesday, the State Publicity Secretary, Olusegun Adewara, said the decision was based on Gambari’s professional experience, organisational capacity, knowledge of Kwara’s political environment and engagement with young people.
According to the statement, “Prince Omar Bolaji Gambari brings to this responsibility a combination of professional experience, youthful energy, organisational exposure and an understanding of contemporary political communication.”
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The party added that his experience cuts across international law, finance, entrepreneurship, real estate, agriculture and community development, describing the combination as relevant to the coordination of a campaign involving people from different backgrounds and generations.
Gambari was among the leading aspirants who contested the PDP’s 2026 governorship primaries were he reportedly built significant engagement around his aspiration and brought a youthful presence and international professional perspective to the contest.
Following the emergence of Kawu Agaka as the party’s governorship candidate, Gambari remained active in the party’s political activities before his latest appointment.
Born into the Ilorin Emirate royal family, Gambari began his education at A.B.U. Staff School, Zaria, and later attended the Nigerian Military School, Zaria.
He studied Economics before proceeding to Fordham University School of Law in New York, United States, where he obtained his law degree and was admitted to the New York State Bar in 2000.
Gambari briefly served in the Nigerian Army after his first degree and later worked with Merrill Lynch, a major American financial services institution now part of Bank of America.
He subsequently worked with the Legal Department of the United Nations and the international law firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett before establishing his own legal practice.
Through his legal practice, he has advised corporations and institutions on international transactions, joint ventures, commercial matters and dispute resolution, with professional engagements spanning technology, energy, finance and development.
He has also developed business interests in real estate, energy and agriculture and provided advisory services on enterprise development and international expansion.
His youth development activities, according to the party, date back to the late 1990s when he established the Nigerian Youth Organization in New York to connect young Nigerians in the diaspora through social and community initiatives.
The statement added that the OBG Foundation has supported programmes focused on youth empowerment, education, mentorship and enterprise development.
Gambari previously contested the Ilorin East/South Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives under the PDP in 2018 before participating in the party’s 2026 governorship primary.
The PDP said his combination of private-sector experience, international legal practice, entrepreneurship, community engagement and familiarity with Kwara’s political environment influenced his selection to lead the campaign organisation.
The appointment is expected to form part of the party’s preparations for the 2027 governorship election, with the campaign structure expected to coordinate activities across the party’s various levels and constituencies.
