Ogun State chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and Convener of The Alternative Movement, Segun Showunmi, on Friday called for the support of the state chapter of the Inter-Party Advisory Committee to build a coalition ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
Showunmi stated that with the reported consensus arrangement by the ruling All Progressives Congress to present the senator representing Ogun West, Sen. Solomon Adeola, popularly known as Yayi, as its governorship candidate, IPAC must be prepared to form a coalition to counter what he described as an “APC coronation”.
He also reaffirmed his intention to contest the Ogun State governorship seat in the 2027 election, noting that the backing of IPAC members would be crucial to achieving his ambition.
The PDP chieftain explained that having spent over 25 years in the state and participated in governance discussions at both state and national levels, he has developed a blueprint to address governance challenges in Ogun.
He noted that while the aspiration of Ogun West Senatorial District to produce the state’s first governor since its creation 50 years ago is legitimate, it should not be automatic to the extent that voters are denied viable alternatives.
Showunmi made this known on Friday during a visit to the IPAC secretariat in Abeokuta.
He stressed that IPAC must continue to safeguard multi-party democracy to ensure that citizens retain meaningful choices in leadership, adding that “the best of us should lead the rest of us.”
He further disclosed that some political parties, including the Labour Party, Action Alliance, and New Nigeria Peoples Party, have aligned with his governorship ambition, expressing readiness to work within any coalition framework agreed upon by IPAC leadership in the state.
He explained, “As we now proceed towards the 2027 cycle, the question then is: will Ogun put itself in a scenario of a coronation without the richness of electoral conversation on issues? Should we truly allow that? You have been hearing me speak on issues in the state. You have been hearing me speak on issues in the country. I have spoken on the issue of the pendulum so that we have fairness and balance.
“You have heard me speak on the legitimate agitation of the tripod in our state because we run three senatorial districts, under which the West Senatorial District, ironically, in 50 years has not been able to produce a governor. Therefore, their aspiration is quite legitimate.
“However legitimate and persuasive an aspiration may be, it ceases to be an aspiration if there is no contest. Therefore, let me say to you very clearly that my name is Anthony Oluwasegun Adeyemi Showunmi, and I will be running for governor in the 2027 governorship election.
“I have come to you today to ask and plead with you to set up a small committee among yourselves and determine how we can collaborate to make this happen. It is clear that even the big parties are fumbling. It is clear that they have entrapped themselves in a lot of legal cases that make the situation difficult. No one party can carry it alone.
“I have come to you today to encourage you to empanel a small committee among yourselves. Look at the parties—Labour Party, Boot Party, AA, NNPP—and let us figure out how we can create a platform, determine which of the parties is most unencumbered, and then engage in dialogue on governance in Ogun State. I do not believe that the governance of Ogun can be dashed. I do not believe that governance is about giving rice or sharing money; it must be about intentional leadership.”
Earlier, the Chairman of IPAC, Ogun State Council, Abayomi Sanyaolu, while receiving Showunmi, advised party leaders to be cautious before aligning with any political ambition, warning that such decisions could have future implications.
