Zainab Abioye
The Ijemo Muslim Community in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has declared its support for the Peoples Democratic Party governorship ticket of Oladipupo Adebutu and his running mate, Hajia Lateefat Oyeyemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The endorsement was made during the 2026 Maulud Nabiyy celebration of the Ijemo Muslim Community held at the historic Ita Baayinbo Mosque, Abeokuta.
The event attracted Imams, Alfas, community elders, women groups and youths from Ijemo and other parts of Egbaland, with speakers using the occasion to highlight the political significance of Sowunmi-Kolapo’s emergence as the PDP deputy governorship candidate.
The community leaders praised Sowunmi-Kolapo, who is the Ameerah of Ijemoland and Iya Sunnah of Egbaland, for what they described as her longstanding philanthropic activities and commitment to the welfare of members of the community.
They also commended Adebutu for his interventions in communities across Ogun State, arguing that he had supported people through various initiatives before seeking the governorship of the state.
Speaking at the gathering, the Chief Imam of Ijemoland, Sheikh Nojeemdeen Wale Bakenne, said Sowunmi-Kolapo’s candidacy represented an opportunity for Ijemo to attain a higher level of political representation.
Bakenne lamented that Ijemo had not produced a governor and had not produced a deputy governor since the late Chief Sesan Soluade.
He therefore called on members of the community to support Sowunmi-Kolapo’s candidacy.
“Ijemo has not produced any governor. We have not also produced a deputy governor since the time of the late Chief Sesan Soluade. Now that our daughter and mother, Alhaja Lateefat, has been picked as deputy governorship candidate for a qualified governorship candidate, we must support her to be the next deputy governor,” the Chief Imam said.
Bakenne said the community’s relationship with Sowunmi-Kolapo predated her emergence as a political candidate, noting that she had allegedly contributed to the welfare of people in Ijemo and beyond through her philanthropic activities.
“We have been enjoying Iya Sunnah of Egbaland even before she was honoured as a Muslim leader in Ijemo Land. She takes care and respects all Ijemos and Ogun sons and daughters that come in contact with her. She serves God with all she has,” he added.
The chairman of the occasion, Alhaji AbdulAkeem Owolabi Mustapha, said the essence of Islamic leadership extended beyond religious titles to character, service and concern for humanity.
Mustapha said Sowunmi-Kolapo had demonstrated what he described as leadership through service and philanthropy.
“Islam is a character, the way you live your life. Our Iya Sunnah has been a faith leader per excellence and she has touched many lives. It is part of religion for one to uplift one’s fatherland,” he said.
Responding, Sowunmi-Kolapo expressed appreciation to the community for the reception, saying she remained proud of her Ijemo roots.
She said the Maulud celebration provided an opportunity for the community to reflect not only on the teachings of Prophet Muhammad but also on its heritage and future.
“I am happy that I am from Ijemo Land. Today is a day of celebration and joy. Qur’an is a way of life like Islam, as taught by the Prophet,” she said.
The PDP candidate urged Ogun indigenes not to allow political differences to destroy their history, relationships and communal bonds.
She cautioned against what she described as politics capable of creating crisis and urged voters to approach the 2027 election with what she called wisdom and a long-term perspective.
“There is politics but we shouldn’t participate in the one that will fetch us crisis. If party loyalty will make us rewrite the history of our state, we must not partake in it. We are one but when it comes to politics, we should play it with wisdom,” Sowunmi-Kolapo said.
She also urged Muslim faithful to consider the issue of political representation, recalling concerns about what she described as marginalisation of Muslims in government and other spheres of public life.
“We have always said that Muslims are being marginalised in government and other places. But, we have the opportunity to change the situation by ourselves. We must be futuristic even while we celebrate,” she said.
Sowunmi-Kolapo asked the gathering to support the PDP ticket of Adebutu and herself, describing the 2027 election as an important moment for Ijemo, Abeokuta, Ogun State and Muslims.
“I want us to use the opportunity to inform the people that this is our time in Ijemo, Abeokuta, Ogun and in Islam,” she added.
The PDP in Ogun State adopted Sowunmi-Kolapo as Adebutu’s running mate in June 2026 following consultations among party stakeholders.
The endorsement by the Ijemo Muslim Community comes amid wider mobilisation by Sowunmi-Kolapo and PDP supporters across communities ahead of the 2027 election.
The Maulud celebration ended with prayers for peace, unity and progress in Ogun State and the Ijemo community, as well as prayers for a peaceful 2027 electoral process.
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