The Muslim leaders, Imams and faithful of the community hailed the leadership qualities of Kolapo, who is the Ameerah of Ijemoland, and Iya Sunnah of Egbaland.
According to them, her activities before this election season are clear pointers to the fact that Ogun State will be a better place for all residents if she is elected as deputy governor alongside her principal, the PDP governorship candidate, Hon. Ladi Adebutu.
The leaders, who spoke during the 2026 Maulud Nabiyy celebration of the Ijemo community, said Adebutu had been touching lives across the state, for many years, without being in government and would do more if elected.
The colourful Islamic celebration drew Imams, Alfas, community elders, women groups and youths from across Ijemo and Egbaland, to the historic Ita Baayinbo Mosque to honour the memory of the Holy Prophet.
Various speakers at the event commended Kolapo as a pacesetter in faith and philanthropism.
In his welcome address, the Chief Imam of Ijemoland, Alhaji Sheikh Nojeemdeen Wale Bakenne, said the celebration was significant not just for its spiritual importance, but for what it represents for the political future of Ijemo.
"Ijemo has not produced any governor. We have not also produced a deputy governor since the time of the late Chief Sesan Soluade. Now that our daughter and mother, Alhaja Lateefat has been picked as deputy governorship candidate for a qualified governorship candidate, we must support her to be the next deputy governor," the Chief Imam declared.
Sheikh Bakenne recalled that the Ijemo community had been enjoying the benevolence of Sowunmi-Kolapo long before she was honoured as a Muslim leader in Ijemo land, describing her philanthropic gestures and generosity as unmatched in the history of the community.
"We have been enjoying Iya Sunnah of Egbaland even before she was honoured as a Muslim leader in Ijemo Land. She takes care and respects all Ijemos and Ogun sons and daughters that come in contact with her. She serves God with all she has," he said.
According to the religious leader, not only is the first Ameerah General of Ogun State highly respected as a devout Muslim leader and community trailblazer, she is from noble families on both sides.
On his part, the Chairman of the occasion, Alhaji AbdulAkeem Owolabi Mustapha, said Islam should be judged by character and service to humanity, noting that Hajia Sowunmi-Kolapo exemplifies true Islamic leadership.
"Islam is a character, the way you live your life. Our Iya Sunnah has been a faith leader per excellence and she has touched many lives. It is part of religion for one to uplift one's fatherland," Mustapha said.
Responding, Hajia Lateefat Oyeyemi Sowunmi-Kolapo expressed delight at being among her kinsmen, saying she is proud of her Ijemo roots.
"I am happy that I am from Ijemo Land. Today is a day of celebration and joy. Qur'an is a way of life like Islam, as taught by the Prophet," she said.
The Iya Sunnah urged Muslim faithful to protect their heritage and seize the opportunity of the forthcoming governorship election to vote for the PDP ticket of Ladi Adebutu and herself, warning that false narratives being peddled by other candidates should not sway them.
"We have always said that Muslims are being marginalised in government and other places. But, we have the opportunity to change the situation by ourselves. We must be futuristic even while we celebrate," she said.
She cautioned against politics of crisis and blind party loyalty, insisting that history and community interest must come first.
"There is politics but we shouldn't participate in the one that will fetch us crisis. If party loyalty will make us rewrite the history of our state, we must not partake in it. We are one but when it comes to politics, we should play it with wisdom," she added.
Sowunmi-Kolapo told the gathering that 2027 represents a historic window for Ijemo, for Abeokuta, for Ogun State and for Islam to reclaim its rightful place in governance.
"I want us to use the opportunity to inform the people that this is our time in Ijemo, Abeokuta, Ogun and in Islam," she said.
The Maulud celebration ended with special prayers for peace, unity and progress of Ogun State, for the Ijemo community, and for the success of the forthcoming elections, with clerics offering prayers for the Prophet's intercession for Kolapo's political ambition and the nation at large.
