Itoku Leaders Endorse Sowunmi-Kolapo as Ogun PDP Ticket Faces INEC Complication

Community leaders in Itoku, Abeokuta, have declared support for Hajia Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo, the Peoples Democratic Party's proposed deputy governorship candidate in Ogun State, during a homecoming ceremony that also recognised her with traditional and religious titles.

The Saturday gathering drew residents, traditional chiefs, religious figures and PDP supporters. During the event, stakeholders expressed support for a governorship ticket pairing Oladipupo Adebutu with Sowunmi-Kolapo for the 2027 election. The endorsement was presented by local leaders as support for a daughter of the community and for the PDP's state campaign.

Sowunmi-Kolapo, who holds the positions of Iya Sunnah of Egbaland and First Ameerah of Ogun State Muslims, received two new honours. The Itoku Traditional Council of Chiefs named her Olootu of Itoku Land, while the local Muslim community installed her as Ummu-L-Khaer of Itoku Muslims in Egbaland. The traditional council is headed by the Oluwo of Itoku, Chief Olusoji Sodamola.

Moshood Akinyele, a political figure in Abeokuta popularly called Americo, formally presented Sowunmi-Kolapo to the Oluwo during the programme. Sodamola subsequently raised her hand before the gathering and publicly backed the Adebutu-Sowunmi-Kolapo ticket. His remarks included claims that the community had resolved to support PDP candidates in the coming election.

Sowunmi-Kolapo thanked residents for the reception and referred to her family connection with the area. She also urged supporters to vote for Adebutu and other PDP candidates in 2027, framing the coming contest in terms of protecting community heritage. Those comments represented her campaign position during the event.

The gathering included members of the Itoku Traditional Council, Isese chiefs, Christian and Muslim leaders, traditional worshippers, community development representatives and PDP figures. The ceremony combined political endorsement with recognition of Sowunmi-Kolapo's stated contributions to the community and to Islamic activities.

However, the endorsement comes amid an unresolved electoral complication for the Ogun PDP. Punch reported that Adebutu's name was absent from the final list of candidates released by the Independent National Electoral Commission for the February 6, 2027 governorship election. The published list contained 13 candidates in Ogun State and did not include a PDP candidate.

The source linked Adebutu's omission to questions surrounding his absence from the PDP membership register submitted to INEC. Groups had raised concerns about his eligibility on that basis. The Itoku event therefore demonstrated local political support for the proposed PDP ticket, but it did not resolve the separate issue of whether the party's candidates will ultimately appear on the ballot.