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Says Senator Adeola’s consensus is “coronation of Ogun West”
From Laide Raheem, Abeokuta
The Convener of the Alternative Movement and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Segun Showunmi, on Friday, formally declared his intention to run for the governorship seat in 2027.
Showunmi, who made the declaration at the secretariat of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, urged the opposition parties in the state to build a grassroots-based coalition to challenge what he described as the “fumbling” of the dominant political party.
He challenged other governorship aspirants, especially the consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (popularly known as Yayi), to a public debate to test their political depth and readiness to govern.
Showunmi acknowledged that Ogun West has historically been excluded from producing a governor, noting the zone’s aspiration is “quite legitimate”. He, however, warned that such an aspiration must not be imposed through consensus arrangements that deny the electorate a real choice.
“As we proceed towards the 2027 cycle, the critical question is this: will Ogun State subject itself to a coronation, or will we, for the sake of our children and future generations, allow a truly competitive process? Ogun West’s over 50-year exclusion from the governorship makes its aspiration legitimate, but an aspiration ceases to be an aspiration if there is no contest,” he stated.
Showunmi added, “I will be running for the governorship in the 2027 election. I have come to plead with you to set up a small committee among yourselves to determine how we can collaborate to make this happen.”
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He dismissed ongoing coalition talks among national political leaders in Abuja, insisting that any viable alliance must be built from the grassroots. “You cannot create a coalition from the top. If there must be a coalition, it has to start from the base. Even presidential authority is generated from the base,” he added.
The PDP chieftain expressed dismay that internal crises and legal battles have weakened major political parties in the country, thereby “giving the ruling APC the erroneous impression that it is invincible”.
Showunmi further rejected what he described as “money politics”, calling for an issue-based campaign ahead of the 2027 poll. “I do not believe that the governorship of Ogun is about sharing rice or distributing money; the state’s future requires intentional design and not handouts,” he remarked.
Reviewing Ogun’s leadership since 1999, he said the state has reached a defining moment after the administrations of Gbenga Daniel, Ibikunle Amosun, and the incumbent, Dapo Abiodun. “I believe we are now at a realistic turning point where the conversation must be: which way forward? Nations are not built by saying, ‘I gave money.’ Nations are built by intentional designs that assess where we are and determine where we need to go,” he pointed out.
While declaring that he is not seeking power for its own sake, Showunmi said: “I am not coming to rule. I have lived among you. You have questioned me, and I have answered frankly, bravely, and honestly.”
He described himself as a bona fide son of Ogun State with no record of thuggery or violence. “I challenge all aspirants, whether endorsed or consensus candidates. Let us debate the future of Ogun and what the next level should be,” Showunmi concluded.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Ogun State, Abayomi Sanyaolu, commended Showunmi for his courage and enthusiasm. Sanyaolu noted that IPAC remains a trusted platform for political parties and stated that the council has formally recognised Showunmi as a governorship aspirant.
