*as Ogun Nawair-ud-deen Society pledges support, prayers
The Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2027 election in Ogun State, Hajia Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, has said the happenings in the political space currently, including the controversy over a list published by the Independent National Electoral Commission, are clear signs that her Principal, Ladi Adebutu, is the next governor of the state.
Kolapo, who spoke to Muslim faithful and journalists after Jumat prayers at the Nawair-ud-deen mosque (headquarters), in Abeokuta, on Friday, also got the full endorsement of the leaders of the frontline muslim society in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The leaders, led by the Chief Imam of the Nawair-ud-deen Society, Abeokuta headquarters and Ogun State, Sheikh Tiamiyu Olamigoke, took turns to pray for the victory of Kolapo, who is the Iya Sunnah of Egbaland, and Ameerah of Ogun State Muslims, and her principal, in the forthcoming polls.
According to them, the deputy governorship candidate has demonstrated, with her good deeds, even before venturing into politics, that she will be a compassionate leader.
They added that Adebutu had also done so much for the people of Ogun State, including the Muslim community, to deserve their support.
Responding to journalists, who said the jubilation of members of the ruling party over the controversial INEC list was confusing the public, she said she was confident that it was an unintended omission by the Commission.
The deputy guber candidate noted that one of the appointments the President got right was the appointment of Prof. Joash Amupitan, as the chairman of INEC.
She described Amupitan as a globally recognised professional who would not do anything to taint his integrity in a damning way, even though she admitted that it was normal for the ruling party to put pressure on anyone holding such a position.
She said this just as she expressed confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to free and fair elections no matter who is sacrificed.
Responding specifically to the question on the excitement of APC members before and after the INEC list was published, Kolapo said their euphoria over what she described as a “dead-on-arrival mission, was a symptom of panic attack.
“They are ‘soon-to-be IDPs (Internally Displaced Politicians)’ exhibiting the symptoms of ‘IDPA (Impending Defeat Panic Attack),'” she said, while dismissing the question with laughter.
She reiterated that no one could stop a genuine movement by a people determined to protect their heritage.
“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.
“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,” the PDP deputy governorship candidate said.
Earlier, the Otun Iya Sunnah of Egbaland, who is the Iya Sunnah of the Nawarudeen Society, Alhaja Risikat Ogunfemi, called for the total support of the Nawarudeen society, the Egba Muslim Community and the Ogun State Muslim Community, in general, for Kolapo, describing her as a pride of the Muslim community, who will do nothing but serve the people if voted into power, along with her principal.
Aside from the joint prayer that was held for the success of the PDP ticket in 2027, the Imams and Islamic scholars present in the mosque took turns to pray for the protection of both candidates and the progress of Ogun State.
