…As Nawair-ud-deen leaders offer prayers, pledge support for PDP ticket
Daud Olatunji
The Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Hajia Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, has expressed confidence that her principal, Ladi Adebutu, will win the 2027 governorship election, describing recent political developments, including the controversy surrounding a list published by the Independent National Electoral Commission, as signs of the ruling party’s impending defeat.
Sowunmi-Kolapo spoke on Friday shortly after the Juma’at prayer at the headquarters of the Nawair-ud-deen Society in Abeokuta, where Muslim leaders offered prayers for the success of the PDP ticket in the forthcoming election.
The PDP deputy governorship candidate also received prayers and expressions of support from leaders of the Islamic organisation, led by the Chief Imam of the Nawair-ud-deen Society, Abeokuta headquarters and Ogun State, Sheikh Tiamiyu Olamigoke.
The Muslim leaders described Sowunmi-Kolapo, who is the Iya Sunnah of Egbaland and Ameerah of Ogun State Muslims, as a woman whose philanthropic activities and commitment to the welfare of the people had demonstrated her capacity for compassionate leadership.
They also argued that Adebutu had contributed significantly to the development of Ogun State, including the welfare of the Muslim community, and deserved the electorate’s support.
Speaking on the controversy surrounding the INEC list and the jubilation reportedly expressed by members of the ruling All Progressives Congress, Sowunmi-Kolapo said she believed the disputed development was an unintended omission by the electoral commission.
She, however, expressed confidence in the integrity of INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, describing his appointment as one of the decisions she believed President Bola Tinubu had got right.
According to her, Amupitan is a globally recognised professional who would be unwilling to compromise his integrity, although she acknowledged that political pressure could come with occupying such a sensitive position.
The PDP chieftain also expressed confidence in Tinubu’s commitment to ensuring free and fair elections, irrespective of the political consequences.
Reacting specifically to the excitement among APC members over the INEC list, Sowunmi-Kolapo dismissed their optimism, describing it as an indication of fear of electoral defeat.
She said, “They are ‘soon-to-be IDPs (Internally Displaced Politicians)’ exhibiting the symptoms of ‘IDPA (Impending Defeat Panic Attack)’.”
The PDP candidate made the remark amid laughter as she insisted that the political developments in the state would not derail what she described as a genuine movement to protect the interests and heritage of Ogun indigenes.
She added, “We will soon separate the wheat from the chaff. There is a difference between people who are fighting for their pockets or fighting to retain their juicy positions and those fighting to protect our heritage, in the interest of generations of true Ogun indigenes, who must not be relegated to second-class citizens by imported leaders.”
Sowunmi-Kolapo further argued that Ogun State’s resources should be deployed to improve the welfare of its residents, stressing that the PDP’s proposed administration would prioritise grassroots development and accountability.
“Ogun’s resources must work for its people. This is the bedrock of our ITURA DE mandate.
“The PDP administration of Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu will prioritise the welfare of citizens and ensure real financial autonomy for local governments, in a bid to ensure accountability and grassroots service delivery,” she said.
Earlier, the Otun Iya Sunnah of Egbaland and Iya Sunnah of the Nawair-ud-deen Society, Alhaja Risikat Ogunfemi, called on members of the organisation, the Egba Muslim Community and the wider Ogun State Muslim Community to support Sowunmi-Kolapo and her principal.
Ogunfemi described the deputy governorship candidate as a source of pride to the Muslim community, expressing confidence that she would remain committed to serving the people if elected alongside Adebutu.
The gathering also featured prayers by imams and Islamic scholars for the protection of both PDP candidates, their success at the 2027 polls and the continued progress of Ogun State.
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