2027: Shun vote-buying, money politics, violence – Ogun PDP’s Sowunmi-Kolapo tells Muslims

Lateefat Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, the deputy governorship candidate of the PDP in Ogun State, has urged Muslims in the state to refrain from vote-buying and violence, and to actively participate in elections to elect morally upright leaders. She emphasized the importance of political participation for the protection of their interests and heritage in the state.

Sowunmi-Kolapo, after being decorated as Grand Matron of the Ogun State Muslim Council (OMC), Egba Zone, called upon Muslim leaders, families, and youths to recognize the significance of political involvement for safeguarding their interests. She further cautioned against money politics, warning that politicians distributing money during elections may demand greater favors once in office.

Sowunmi-Kolapo urged the Muslim community to assemble in large numbers during elections, exercise their civic rights peacefully, and vote for their preferred candidates while also rallying support for the PDP governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu. In his keynote address, the Mufti of Ilorin, Sheikh Farouq Sulaiman Onikijipa, emphasized the need for increased investment in education at all government levels, stressing its critical role in national stability.

He also criticized the exorbitant costs of education both at private and public institutions, urging government to make education more accessible to foster stability. Onikijipa highlighted the necessity of prioritizing morality when selecting leaders, asserting that stability in any domain requires choosing a leader who is morally upright and will not exploit public funds or exploit others for personal gain.

He called on politicians to refrain from spreading false allegations and encouraged youths to focus on acquiring knowledge to avoid being manipulated as instruments of destruction for political gains. PDP senatorial candidate for Ogun Central, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, praised Sowunmi-Kolapo as a community builder and a model for future generations in Egbaland, stating that the present political struggle is not about conflict but about reorganizing the affairs of the state and not placing Ogun State's future at risk for monetary gains.