Leaders and residents of the Ijemo community in Abeokuta South Local Government Area of Ogun State have endorsed the Peoples Democratic Party’s deputy governorship candidate, Alhaja Lateefah Sowunmi-Kolapo, while also throwing their weight behind the party’s governorship candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
The endorsement came during a reception organised in honour of Sowunmi-Kolapo, where community leaders, party chieftains and supporters described her emergence as a source of pride for the Egba people and a significant milestone for the community.
Speaking at the event, the Ogun State Chairman of the PDP, Dr. Abayomi Tella, said Sowunmi-Kolapo emerged after the party subjected nine aspirants to a rigorous selection process.
Tella said the party carefully assessed all the aspirants before settling for her based on competence, capacity and suitability for the office.
He reiterated the PDP’s commitment to grassroots governance, saying the party’s philosophy of “Power to the People” reflects its belief that sovereignty belongs to the electorate.
According to him, the PDP remains the only political party with a track record of delivering democratic dividends to the people of Ogun State.
Addressing the gathering, Sowunmi-Kolapo urged Ogun residents, particularly those in Egbaland, not to succumb to intimidation but to mobilise support for the PDP in the 2027 election.
She described the PDP as the only viable alternative capable of addressing the state’s challenges and called on eligible voters to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the polls.
The deputy governorship candidate also stressed the need for the people to protect what she described as their political heritage.
“We will not allow anyone to intimidate us. We are warriors and we must show that we own the votes.
“Let us come out en masse to vote. Do not believe anyone telling you that your vote will not count because your vote will count.
“In Egba, we are accommodating and welcome everyone, but leadership of our land should remain with those who truly belong here. Go and get your Permanent Voter Cards and vote for the PDP,” she said.
Also speaking, the PDP’s Ogun Central Senatorial candidate, Iyabo Obasanjo, appealed to the people of Ogun Central, especially those in Egbaland, to unite behind the party.
She argued that the zone should produce the next governor through a political platform with an Egba indigene on its governorship ticket.
Obasanjo said the PDP remains the party best positioned to move Ogun State forward and urged voters to support its candidates in the 2027 general election.
“Our fathers fought for Abeokuta to become the capital of Ogun State. We must ensure that Ogun Central and the Egba people are considered by supporting a party that has an Egba person on its governorship ticket,” she said.
Earlier, Chairman of the reception planning committee, High Chief Mustapha Abdul-Lateef Owolabi, called on residents to match their prayers with active political participation.
He urged eligible voters to register, collect their Permanent Voter Cards and turn out massively on election day.
“I appreciate all the prayers for the success of the election, but those prayers must be backed by action. The only weapon we have to enthrone the right leadership is our voter cards and our votes,” Owolabi said.
The event attracted party leaders, traditional figures, women groups and supporters from across Abeokuta, who pledged support for the PDP’s governorship ticket ahead of the 2027 election.
