…Urges Ogun indigenes to shun money politics, protect their heritage

The Ogun State Muslim Council has installed the Peoples Democratic Party’s deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election, Hajia Lateefat ‘Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, as its Grand Matron (Egba Zone).

Sowunmi-Kolapo, who is the Iya Sunnah of Egbaland and Ameerah of Ogun State, was installed and decorated at the Ake Palace, Abeokuta, on Thursday, October 1, 2026.

The ceremony, which attracted Muslim leaders, political stakeholders, traditional figures and other members of the community, was held under the theme, “Socio-Economic Stability: A Fortress for Global Security.”

The installation has assumed political significance, coming ahead of the 2027 governorship election, with Sowunmi-Kolapo using the occasion to call for increased civic participation among Muslims and urging voters to reject electoral violence, vote-buying and political apathy.

She also urged Muslims across the state to take an active role in determining the political leadership of the country. Speaking in an interview after her installation, the new Grand Matron described the honour as a demonstration of confidence and support from the Muslim community.

She said, “It’s a great honour for me because when people appreciate you and they show it, you can only be thankful to God and them.

“I thank the Ogun State Muslim Council for this great honour. As we were told, the Iya Sunnah of Egbaland is expected to be decorated OMC Grand Matron (Egba Zone). Our late revered mother, late Chief Khadijah Adebisi Edionseri, was the Iya Sunnah of Egbaland and OMC Grand Matron.”

“Stepping into her shoes is a big deal for me. I pray Almighty Allah guides my steps and makes the journey fruitful,” the deputy governorship candidate added.

She also expressed appreciation to members of the Muslim community for the support she had received, from the beginning of her political journey, and throughout the process leading to her installation.

“To the Muslim community, I can only say thank you to them because the shower of love and support that I got from them from the beginning of this journey is unprecedented and I don’t take it for granted,” she said.

She, however, used the occasion to broaden her message from religious leadership to civic and political participation, urging Muslims to recognise the importance of political power in protecting their interests and heritage.

The new Grand Matron said the Muslim community must not remain passive in matters concerning its future.

“An elder statesman was telling me something when I went to visit him. He said religious leaders should not sit back and think that they will hand over everything they seek to them on a platter of gold.

“If you don’t struggle for power, some oppressors will use the same power to destroy you, which is why we say our power is in our votes.”

The PDP candidate urged Muslim parents, leaders and community stakeholders to educate their children and wards on responsible democratic participation.

She said electoral participation should be peaceful and driven by citizens’ choices rather than inducements.

Earlier at the ceremony, the OMC, Egba Zone, used the occasion to draw attention to the connection between socio-economic conditions, education, security and global stability.

Earlier at the ceremony, the OMC, Egba Zone, used the occasion to draw attention to the connection between socio-economic conditions, education, security and global stability.

The guest lecturer, Sheikh Sulaimon Faruq Onikijipa, OON, who spoke on the theme, “Socio-Economic Stability: A Fortress for Global Security,” urged governments to give greater priority to security, education and the economic wellbeing of citizens.

Onikijipa said a stable society could not be achieved when citizens were denied access to quality education, security and the basic socio-economic conditions necessary for dignified living.

Also speaking at the ceremony, Senator Prof. Iyabo Obasanjo commended the Ogun State Muslim Community for honouring Sowunmi-Kolapo and giving her the blessing to serve as the PDP deputy governorship candidate.

Obasanjo described the new Grand Matron as humble, faithful and kind, while acknowledging her contributions to the Muslim community.