Otunba Segun Showunmi, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and convener of The Alternative, has officially announced his intention to run for the governorship of Ogun State in the 2027 election. This declaration was made during a visit to the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) secretariat in Abeokuta on Friday. During his address, Showunmi called for a broad-based coalition among opposition parties to effectively challenge the dominance of existing political forces in the state.
Positioning himself as a grassroots-oriented candidate, Showunmi emphasized that governance in Ogun State should not be reduced to arrangements that deny voters genuine choices. While he acknowledged the right of political parties to endorse consensus candidates, he argued that such decisions should not be imposed in ways that sideline public participation. “I will be running for governor in the 2027 election,” he stated, urging the formation of a small committee among party leaders to explore collaborative efforts for his campaign.
Showunmi framed the upcoming election as a pivotal choice between competitive democracy and what he termed political “coronation.” He urged stakeholders to prioritize the future of Ogun State over entrenched interests. Additionally, he highlighted the historical exclusion of Ogun West from producing a governor, describing the zone’s aspirations as “quite legitimate.” However, he insisted that legitimacy requires open contestation.
Advocating for an issue-based campaign, Showunmi distanced himself from what he referred to as “money politics.” He challenged all aspirants—whether endorsed or not—to engage in public debates about the future direction of Ogun State. “I do not believe that the governorship of Ogun is about sharing rice or distributing money,” he remarked. “Let us debate the future of Ogun and what the next level should be.”
In his welcome address, IPAC Chairman Comrade Abayomi Sanyaolu urged political party leaders to exercise caution in candidate selection, warning that poor choices could have long-term repercussions for the state. Similarly, Abayomi Arabambi, the Southwest Vice Chairman of the Labour Party, emphasized the need for decisive action, stating that Ogun “deserves better” and calling for public involvement in shaping the state’s leadership. Showunmi’s declaration sets the stage for a potentially crowded and competitive race in 2027, with opposition parties and civil society groups increasingly focused on building coalitions to challenge the status quo in Ogun State.
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