The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ogun State on Monday unveiled veteran journalist, Alhaja Lateefah Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, as its deputy governorship candidate for the 2027 election.
Kolapo, who is also the Iya Suna of Egbaland, is expected to be the running mate to the governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, in the election.
Speaking at the declaration ceremony held at the party’s secretariat in Abeokuta, the state chairman of the party, Abayomi Tella, said the PDP was confident of victory in 2027.
Tella noted that the party had selected candidates who are “pure and undiluted indigenes of Ogun State.”
He said, “The efforts of the State Working Committee and the leadership of this party are now yielding significant results.
“All of you, without exception, will agree with me today that the PDP in Ogun State is well-positioned to be a major force in 2027. Let me thank every leader of this party who has not rested on their oars until we got to this level. As we are doing this today, another one will soon come.
“I have told the other party that when they go for minnows and fries, we go for the big fish, and that’s the result we are seeing now, and we are still going to see more.
“The good thing about this combination is that these are pure, undiluted indigenes of Ogun State. When the other party wanted to make another error, they still went to import someone who permanently lives in Lagos, in addition to the original Lagos person they brought to us.
“We have agreed that the theme of this election is going to be Ogun for Ogun. Are we going to allow a total stranger to come and claim our inheritance? Are we ready to fight with our voter cards against him?” he asked.
Also speaking, the party’s governorship candidate, Ladi Adebutu, said the deputy governorship candidate emerged through the will of the people and for the purpose of serving them.
“Today, however, I believe, and we should all sense, that the time is right. We have forty candidates on this stage today, and for the first time, I can confidently say that there is no weak link among us. All forty candidates are steadfast, committed and strong.
“That is a message to those who are watching and studying what we are doing: God’s time is always the best,” Adebutu added.
In her acceptance speech, the deputy governorship candidate, Lateefah Sowunmi-Kolapo, appreciated the party for reposing confidence in her.
Sowunmi-Kolapo urged residents to come out en masse to vote, expressing confidence that the PDP would emerge victorious and take its seat at Oke-Mosan.
Meanwhile, Iyabo Obasanjo urged the electorate to protect their votes and not allow what she described as “vote stealing” in 2019 and 2023 to repeat itself.
She insisted that Adebutu was robbed of his mandate in previous elections and assured supporters that such would not happen in 2027, given her influence within the party
Bio of Alhaja Lateefah Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo
* Accomplished Media Executive, Businesswoman, Public Affairs Strategist, and Consultant
*Over 26 years of experience in journalism, communications, training, editing, and narrative shaping
* Founder and Group Managing Director, Right Dev Limited, a strategic communications and media consultancy established in 2015
* Publisher and Editor in Chief of The Point Newspaper, a nationally circulated newspaper with over 11 years of continuous publication
*Oversees Growth Trackers Initiative TV productions across 12 states of Nigeria
*President, Media Transformation and Empowerment Initiative (MTEI)
*First Female Group Business Editor of Punch Newspapers
* Authored over 5,000 published articles
* Mentor to several award winning journalists
* Writer of the widely read Monday Compass column in Punch Newspapers
Public Sector Experience
* Served as Special Adviser on Corporate Communications and Strategy to former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan
*Spearheaded the rebranding of the former Federal Ministry of Commerce and Industry into the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment
* Developed communication frameworks for all 17 parastatals under the ministry, setting standards still regarded as benchmarks
Political Experience
* Joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in 2018 through Chief Olusegun Obasanjo’s Coalition for Nigeria Movement (CNM)
* First Female Deputy National Publicity Secretary of ADC
🔹 First Female National Publicity Secretary of ADC, serving until October 2020
*Vast experience in political communication, democratic governance, public accountability, and public engagement
*Authorship & Recognition
* Author of The Making of an Oracle (2013)
Recipient of numerous awards, including:
• NUJ Media Icon Award (2022)
• NUJ Most Supportive Personality for Media Welfare Award (2025)
• Ambassador of Nigerian Women Journalists Award (2013)
• NUJ Award for Proactive Media Management (2013)
Professional Memberships and Fellowships:
• Member, Nigerian Guild of Editors
• Fellow, West Africa School of Communication and Development (WASCAD)
• Fellow, Civilian Institute of Democratic Administration
Education
BSc Economics and MSc Econometrics, University of Lagos
Federal Government Scholar
Alumna, Lagos Business School
Alumna, Michigan State University Responsible Governance Programme
Honorary Doctorate Fellow, Institute of Public Sector Management, United Kingdom
Currently pursuing a PhD in Business Management
Community & Faith Service
Founder, Samabs Foundation, a grassroots empowerment initiative established in memory of her late mother
Holder of several distinguished Islamic titles:
• Zeenatul Quaddriyyah of Nigeria
• Matron, ZAMTOQ Islamic Foundation
• Ameerah Musulumi of Ijemoland
• Iya Sunnah of Egbaland
• First Ameerah General of Ogun State
Global Exposure
Travelled to more than 30 countries across six continents
*Brings a broad global outlook and international perspective to governance, leadership, and development