By Atlantic Reports

Traditional and Muslim community leaders in Itoku, Abeokuta, honoured Hajia Lateefat Sowunmi-Kolapo with two chieftaincy titles on Saturday at a homecoming ceremony that also became a platform for supporting the Peoples Democratic Party’s Ogun governorship ticket.

Sowunmi-Kolapo, presented at the gathering as the running mate to Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu for the 2027 election, received the titles of Olootu of Itoku Land and Ummu-L-Khaer of Itoku Muslims in Egbaland.

The community leaders said the honours recognised her contributions to Islam, community development and humanitarian service.

Sowunmi-Kolapo, who also holds the titles of Iya Sunnah of Egbaland and First Ameerah of Ogun Muslims, has maternal family ties to Itoku through her grandmother, Alhaja Rabiat Bakenne, née Akinyele, of the Akinyele compound.

Traditional chiefs, religious leaders, community development representatives, PDP members, traders, cultural groups and residents attended the ceremony. Shops were closed and the main road leading into Itoku was blocked during the gathering.

Community Honours and Political Support

The Itoku Traditional Council of Chiefs, comprising the Ogboni, Olorogun, Ologun and Parakoyi, conferred the Olootu title under the leadership of the Oluwo of Itoku, Chief Olusoji Sodamola.

The Muslim community installation was led by the Baba Adeen of Itoku, Alhaji Chief Shuaib Aro, and the Chief Imam of Itoku Central Mosque, Alhaji Imam Taofeek Bakare.

They described the honour as recognition of Sowunmi-Kolapo’s “meritorious service to Islam and humanity”.

Earlier, political leader Alhaji Moshood Akinyele, popularly known as Americo, presented her to the Oluwo. He praised her contributions to Abeokuta and Ogun State, saying she had supported the community without holding public office.

Sodamola publicly endorsed the Adebutu/Sowunmi-Kolapo ticket and urged those present to mobilise support.

“This is our own and we’re going all out for her. We have all resolved to vote for the PDP,” he said.

He also claimed that the endorsement had the backing of the Alake of Egbaland. No separate statement from the Alake was included in the account of the ceremony.

The Oluwo expressed hope that a PDP administration would create jobs and sustain development in Itoku. Those expectations remain political promises rather than established outcomes.

The endorsements reflected the positions expressed by leaders at the gathering; they do not establish the voting preferences of every resident.

Sowunmi-Kolapo Calls for PDP Votes

Responding, Sowunmi-Kolapo thanked the community for the honours and welcome, expressing pride in her family connections.

She framed the election as a matter of protecting heritage and urged voters to support Adebutu and other PDP candidates.

“You can take their money but vote Hon. Ladi Adebutu and all other PDP candidates from top to bottom in 2027,” she said.

She did not identify whose money she was referring to or describe a specific incident.

The ceremony brought together family identity, religious recognition and electoral mobilisation, with community leaders pledging support ahead of a contest whose outcome will be determined by voters.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.