Ogun 2027: Itoku community pledges support for Adebutu, Sowunmi-Kolapo
Pelumi Olukoya
The people of Itoku community in Abeokuta, Ogun State, have pledged their support for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship ticket of Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu and his running mate, Hajia Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The pledge was made on Saturday during a grand homecoming reception organised in honour of Sowunmi-Kolapo, who was also conferred with two chieftaincy titles in recognition of her contributions to the growth of Islam, the development of Itoku and service to humanity.
The event attracted traditional rulers, religious leaders, political stakeholders, market men and women, members of community associations, cultural groups and residents, many of whom suspended their daily activities to welcome the PDP deputy governorship candidate.
The Itoku Traditional Council of Chiefs, comprising the Ogboni, Olorogun, Ologun and Parakoyi, conferred on her 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 in recognition of her contributions to Islam and humanity.
Sowunmi-Kolapo, who is the Iya Sunnah of Egbaland and First Ameerah of Ogun State Muslims, has maternal roots in Itoku through her grandmother, Alhaja Rabiat Bakenne (née Akinyele), who hailed from the Akinyele compound in the community.
Speaking at the event, the Oluwo of Itoku, Chief Olusoji Sodamola, openly endorsed the Adebutu/Sowunmi-Kolapo ticket, declaring that the community was prepared to mobilise support for the PDP in the forthcoming election.
He described Sowunmi-Kolapo as a worthy daughter of the community, expressing confidence that her emergence as deputy governorship candidate would bring further development to Itoku and Ogun State.
“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. This is our own, and we are going all out for her. We have all resolved to vote for the PDP,” Sodamola said.
He added that the community’s decision was backed by the Alake of Egbaland, expressing optimism that a PDP victory would create employment opportunities and sustain development in the state.
“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,” the traditional ruler said.
Earlier, a prominent grassroots politician and political leader in Abeokuta, Alhaji Moshood Akinyele, popularly known as Americo, formally presented Sowunmi-Kolapo to the Oluwo of Itoku.
Akinyele described her as a shining light of the community, noting that she had made significant contributions to Abeokuta and Ogun State despite not having held public office.
He said the chieftaincy honours were also an expression of appreciation for the contributions and reputation of the Akinyele family to the development of Itoku.
In a symbolic show of support, the Oluwo raised Sowunmi-Kolapo’s hand amid cheers from the crowd, while traditional and religious leaders at the gathering expressed solidarity with the PDP ticket.
In her remarks, Sowunmi-Kolapo thanked the community for the reception and the honours bestowed on her, describing the occasion as a homecoming that reaffirmed her ancestral ties to Itoku.
She said she was grateful that her connection to her roots had been established without difficulty, unlike some people who, according to her, had struggled to prove their ancestry.
The PDP deputy governorship candidate said the politics of 2027 should go beyond party affiliations and focus on protecting the heritage and interests of the people.
“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 urged residents to support Adebutu and other PDP candidates in the 2027 elections, adding: “You can take their money but vote Hon. Ladi Adebutu and all other PDP candidates from top to bottom in 2027.”
The event was attended by PDP leaders in Ogun State, prominent religious figures, traditional groups, community leaders and members of various associations.
