A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Showunmi, has formally announced his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State.
He made the declaration on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) secretariat in Abeokuta, where he called for a more open and competitive political process ahead of the polls.
“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.
Showunmi criticised what he described as the practice of “handpicking” or pre-determining candidates ahead of elections, arguing that such approaches undermine democracy and deny voters meaningful 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?” he asked.
He added that while political parties are free to support or select candidates internally, such decisions should not eliminate open contest.
“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.
Showunmi also stressed that leadership should be based on ideas rather than financial influence.
“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.”
His declaration comes days after the governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, endorsed Solomon Adeola as the preferred candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 governorship race, following consultations within the party leadership.
