2027: PDP Chieftain, Showunmi Declares Ogun Governorship Bid, Seeks Support

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and convener of The Alternative, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.

Showunmi made the announcement on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) secretariat in Abeokuta.

He stressed that the leadership of Ogun State should not be handed over to any individual without a competitive process, urging opposition parties and political groups to form a grassroots coalition to challenge what he described as the poor performance of dominant parties.

While acknowledging the right of political parties to adopt or endorse candidates, he cautioned against arrangements that deny voters a genuine choice.

“I will be running for governor in the 2027 election. I have come to urge you to set up a small committee among yourselves to explore how we can collaborate to achieve this,” he said.

“As we approach 2027, the key question is whether Ogun State will allow a coronation or embrace a truly competitive process for the sake of future generations.”

Showunmi also recognised the long-standing agitation for power shift to Ogun West, noting that the zone’s over 50-year exclusion from producing a governor makes its demand legitimate. However, he emphasised that such aspirations must still be tested through a credible contest.

He called for issue-based campaigns rather than what he described as “money politics,” insisting that governance should not be reduced to financial inducements. He also challenged other aspirants to a public debate on the future of the state.

“I am a true son of Ogun State with no history of thuggery. Let all aspirants, whether consensus candidates or not, come forward and debate ideas on how to move Ogun to the next level,” he added.

In his remarks, the Chairman of IPAC in Ogun State, Abayomi Sanyaolu, welcomed Showunmi and urged political parties to exercise caution in selecting their candidates, warning of possible consequences of poor choices.

Also speaking, the South-West Vice Chairman of the Labour Party, Abayomi Arabambi, said the state deserves better leadership and called for greater public participation in shaping its future through collaboration and coalition-building.