Daud Olatunji
The Itoku community in Abeokuta, Ogun State, has declared its support for the Peoples Democratic Party’s 2027 governorship ticket, featuring Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu and his running mate, Hajia Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo, with community leaders pledging to mobilise voters for the opposition party.
The declaration came on Saturday during a grand homecoming reception organised in honour of Sowunmi-Kolapo, whose maternal roots trace to the Akinyele family in Itoku.
The community’s traditional council and Muslim leadership also conferred separate chieftaincy titles on the PDP deputy governorship candidate in recognition of her contributions to Islam, community development and humanitarian service.
The event attracted traditional rulers, religious leaders, political figures, market men and women, members of community associations, cultural groups and residents, many of whom suspended their daily activities to welcome her.
The main road leading to Itoku was reportedly obstructed by the large gathering, while several shops were closed as the community turned out for the ceremony.
The Itoku Traditional Council of Chiefs, comprising the Ogboni, Olorogun, Ologun and Parakoyi, under the leadership of the Oluwo of Itoku, Chief Olusoji Sodamola, conferred on Sowunmi-Kolapo the title of Olootu of Itoku Land.
Similarly, the Itoku Muslim Community, led by the Baba Adeen of Itoku, Alhaji Chief Shuaib Olaleye Aro, and the Chief Imam of Itoku Central Mosque, Alhaji Imam Taofeek Bakare, installed her as Ummu-L-Khaer of Itoku Muslims in Egbaland.
The Muslim community said the title was in recognition of her meritorious service to Islam and humanity.
Sowunmi-Kolapo, the Iya Sunnah of Egbaland and First Ameerah of Ogun State Muslims, is related to the Akinyele family through her maternal grandmother, Alhaja Rabiat Bakenne, née Akinyele.
Speaking at the event, a prominent Abeokuta grassroots politician, Alhaji Moshood Akinyele, popularly known as Americo, formally presented Sowunmi-Kolapo to the Oluwo of Itoku, describing her as a shining light of the community.
Akinyele said the PDP deputy governorship candidate had contributed to the development of Abeokuta and Ogun State despite not having held public office.
He added that the recognition was also an acknowledgement of the Akinyele family’s contributions and standing in the community.
In a symbolic show of support, the Oluwo, accompanied by prominent religious leaders, raised Sowunmi-Kolapo’s hand before the cheering crowd and openly endorsed the Adebutu/Kolapo ticket.
The traditional ruler declared that Itoku was firmly behind the PDP, expressing confidence that the party would win the 2027 governorship election.
“We are entering the forthcoming governorship election with pride because we have a good product. We have a great child who is our incoming deputy governor by God’s grace,” Sodamola said.
“This is our own, and we are going all out for her. We have all resolved to vote for the PDP. Let’s tell those who are not here. Our resolution is fully backed by our revered father, the Alake of Egbaland,” he added.
The Oluwo also expressed optimism that a PDP victory would create employment opportunities and bring further development to Itoku.
“With the PDP in power, those who don’t have jobs will get. Our daughter, Chief Sowunmi-Kolapo, has already started great things for us in Itoku. We believe that great things will continue once they are at Oke-Mosan,” he said.
He subsequently presented Sowunmi-Kolapo as the community’s preferred deputy governorship candidate under the PDP platform and Adebutu as its preferred governorship candidate.
In her response, Sowunmi-Kolapo thanked the community for the reception and the traditional honours, describing her connection to Itoku as a source of pride.
She said she was fortunate not to have struggled to establish her family roots, unlike some people who, according to her, had faced difficulties proving their ancestry.
The PDP candidate urged residents to protect their heritage and make their political choices based on what she described as the need to safeguard their collective interests.
“When the Ijemos endorsed me, we were all aware. The politics of this time is not about political parties; it is about protecting our heritage. We must not allow anyone to enslave us,” she said.
She further urged residents to vote for Adebutu and other PDP candidates in the 2027 elections, from the governorship level down to other elective positions.
“You can take their money, but vote Hon. Ladi Adebutu and all other PDP candidates from top to bottom in 2027,” she said.
The event was attended by PDP leaders in Ogun State, religious leaders, traditional groups, community stakeholders and members of various local societies.
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