The deputy governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic party in Ogun state, Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, has said recent political developments, including controversy surrounding a list published by the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec), indicate that her principal, Ladi Adebutu, will become the state’s next governor.

Kolapo spoke on Friday after Juma’at prayers at the headquarters of the Nawair-ud-deen Society in Abeokuta, where leaders of the Muslim community endorsed her candidacy and prayed for the success of the PDP ticket in the 2027 governorship election.

The prayers were led by Sheikh Tiamiyu Olamigoke, the chief imam of the society’s headquarters in Abeokuta and Ogun state. Other Islamic leaders also prayed for Kolapo, who is the Iya Sunnah of Egbaland and Ameerah of Ogun state Muslims, and Adebutu.

The religious leaders said Kolapo had demonstrated compassion through her activities before entering politics, adding that Adebutu’s contributions to Ogun state, including its Muslim community, made him deserving of public support.

Speaking to journalists about celebrations by members of the ruling party following the publication of the disputed Inec list, Kolapo said she believed the controversy resulted from an unintended omission by the commission.

She described the appointment of Prof Joash Amupitan as Inec chairman as one of President Bola Tinubu’s sound decisions, saying the professor was an internationally recognised professional unlikely to compromise his integrity.

She acknowledged, however, that people occupying such positions could face pressure from the ruling party.

Kolapo also expressed confidence that Tinubu would ensure free and fair elections, regardless of whose political interests might be affected.

Asked about the All Progressives Congress members’ excitement before and after the list was published, she dismissed their reaction as a sign of anxiety over an impending defeat.

“They are ‘soon-to-be IDPs (internally displaced politicians)’ exhibiting the symptoms of ‘IDPA (impending defeat panic attack)’,” she said, laughing.

She maintained that a genuine movement backed by people determined to protect their heritage could not be stopped.

“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,” she said.

Kolapo said Ogun state’s resources should benefit its residents, describing this as the foundation of the PDP’s Itura De mandate.

She added that a PDP administration led by Adebutu would prioritise citizens’ welfare and grant local governments genuine financial autonomy to strengthen accountability and improve service delivery at the grassroots.

Earlier, Alhaja Risikat Ogunfemi, the Otun Iya Sunnah of Egbaland and Iya Sunnah of the Nawair-ud-deen Society, urged members of the society, the Egba Muslim community and Muslims across Ogun state to support Kolapo.

She described the deputy governorship candidate as a source of pride to the Muslim community and said she would serve the public if elected alongside Adebutu.

The gathering concluded with prayers by imams and Islamic scholars for the PDP candidates’ success in the 2027 election, their protection, and the continued progress of Ogun state.