Segun Showunmi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Ogun state.
Showunmi announced on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) secretariat in Abeokuta, the state capital.
“I will be running for governor in the 2027 governorship 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,” he said.
He also questioned what he described as the “coronation” of candidates ahead of the election, insisting that governance in the state should not be handed to any individual without a competitive process.
“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?” he asked.
Showunmi said that while political parties have the right to choose or endorse candidates, such decisions should not be imposed in a way that denies voters a genuine choice.
“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 said.
“I do not believe that the governorship of Ogun is about sharing rice or distributing money. I challenge all aspirants, whether endorsed or consensus candidates, to debate the future of Ogun and what the next level should be.”
On Monday, Dapo Abiodun, governor of Ogun, announced Solomon Adeola, senator representing Ogun west, as the preferred governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election.
Abiodun spoke during a caucus meeting of the party, saying the decision followed consultations within the APC leadership and was aimed at ensuring continuity and unity.
“Nothing will give me more joy than to fulfil all the dreams of my predecessors,” Abiodun said.
“And ensure that, one, the West produces the governor; two, I sit down the night before my departure from office at a send-off attended by my successor; and that I sit proudly with all former governors at the swearing-in of a new APC governor.”
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