It’s official, Bus Obayomi is now a council man!

GILBERT TOWN COUNCIL ELECTION

It’s official, Bus Obayomi is now a council man!

Challengers Sweep Top Spots in Gilbert Primary as Bus Obayomi Secures Strong Position for Council Seat

By Olufemi Odeyemi 

GILBERT, Ariz. — Voters in Gilbert delivered a decisive statement during the recent primary election, sweeping four challengers into the top spots for the Gilbert Town Council and leaving three incumbents trailing behind.

Among the primary winners is Bus Obayomi, a data strategist and longtime community advocate who captured seventeen thousand three hundred and seven votes, representing nearly fifteen percent of the total vote share, to secure fourth place in a competitive seven-candidate field.

The vote tabulation, released by the Maricopa County Elections Department, reflects widespread voter appetite for new leadership following recent municipal challenges, including rising utility rates.

Obayomi, who previously ran for town council in prior election cycles, demonstrated significant growth in grassroots support during this campaign. He anchored his platform on sustainable municipal growth, enhanced civic engagement, and fiscal accountability across town operations.

Gilbert's future depends on thoughtful, community-centered leadership, Obayomi stated during his campaign. He emphasized a commitment to building bridges across the town by bringing together residents, businesses, and local leaders to ensure development remains intentional and inclusive.

Following the election outcome, congratulations poured in for the council candidate. Among those offering praise is his sister, Dr. Yetty Folami, convener of the Voice of Africa Leadership Summit VOALS. Congratulating him on the historic outcome, Dr. Folami expressed immense pride and stated that she expects the absolute best from him as he prepares to represent the people and serve the broader community.

According to reports from the Gilbert Town Clerk's Office, the top four vote-getters — Beth Goulden, former council member Bill Spence, Joel Coen, and Bus Obayomi — have all crossed the required vote threshold to win the available open seats outright. Goulden led the field with over twenty thousand votes, followed closely by Spence and Coen.

With all four top candidates surpassing the necessary margin, they are positioned to avoid a November runoff election entirely. Current incumbents Chuck Bongiovanni, Jim Torgeson, and Bobbi Buchli finished behind the lead pack in the official standings.

The preliminary results remain subject to official canvassing and final certification by the town council before becoming official. Once verified, the newly elected council members will be slated to take their seats at the start of the official term.