Name omission: Amupitan will not compromise his integrity — Adebutu’s running mate

The Deputy Governorship Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Hajia Yemi Sowunmi-Kolapo, has expressed confidence that the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, will not compromise his integrity over the controversy surrounding the omission of the party’s governorship candidate, Hon. Oladipupo Adebutu, from a list published by the electoral commission.

Kolapo described Amupitan as a man of integrity and honour, expressing confidence that he would not allow anything to tarnish his reputation as a globally recognised professional.

She spoke with journalists after Jumat prayers at the headquarters of the Nawair-ud-deen Society in Abeokuta on Friday, where Muslim leaders offered prayers for her and Adebutu ahead of the 2027 governorship election.

The PDP deputy governorship candidate also described developments in the political space, including the controversy over the INEC list, as indications that her principal was on course to become the next governor of Ogun State.

Kolapo, who is the Iya Sunnah of Egbaland and Ameerah of Ogun State Muslims, received the endorsement of leaders of the Islamic society, who took turns to pray for the success of the PDP ticket.

The Muslim leaders, led by the Chief Imam of the Nawair-ud-deen Society’s Abeokuta headquarters and Ogun State, Sheikh Tiamiyu Olamigoke, said Kolapo had demonstrated compassion and commitment to the welfare of the people even before venturing into politics.

They also maintained that Adebutu had contributed significantly to the development of Ogun State, including through his support for the Muslim community, and deserved the people’s backing.

Responding to questions about the jubilation among members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following the publication of the controversial INEC list, Kolapo expressed confidence that the omission was unintentional and would be addressed appropriately.

She described Amupitan’s appointment as INEC chairman as one of the appointments she believed President Bola Tinubu had got right, adding that the electoral chief was a distinguished professional who would not deliberately take actions capable of severely damaging his integrity.

While acknowledging that pressure could be brought to bear on anyone occupying such a sensitive position, she expressed confidence in Amupitan’s ability to uphold his reputation.

Kolapo also said she believed President Tinubu was committed to ensuring free and fair elections, irrespective of whose political interests might be affected.

She described those rejoicing over the omission of her principal’s name as “soon-to-be IDPs (Internally Displaced Politicians)”, exhibiting the symptoms of “IDPA (Impending Defeat Panic Attack)”.

She insisted that no force could stop what she described as a genuine movement by people determined to protect the heritage and interests of Ogun State.

“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.