The Convener of the Alternative Movement, Oluwasegun Showunmi, has formally declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State, calling for a grassroots-driven coalition to challenge dominant political parties.
Showunmi made the declaration during a courtesy visit to the secretariat of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abeokuta on Friday , where he urged opposition parties and political groups to unite and build a people-focused alliance ahead of the polls.
The former spokesperson to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also challenged all governorship aspirants—including any endorsed or consensus candidate of the All Progressives Congress—to an open public debate to test their readiness to govern.
“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?” Showunmi asked.
He acknowledged that Ogun West has historically been excluded from producing a governor, describing the zone’s aspiration as legitimate but warning against consensus arrangements that deny voters a 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.
Declaring his ambition, Showunmi stated, “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.”
Showunmi dismissed ongoing coalition discussions among national political leaders in Abuja, insisting that any viable alliance must be built from the grassroots.
“You cannot create a coalition from the top. If there must be a coalition, it has to start from the base. Even presidential authority is generated from the base,” he said.
He argued that internal crises and legal battles have weakened major political parties.
“It is clear that even the big parties are fumbling. They have trapped themselves in legal cases that no single party can carry alone,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of IPAC, Ogun State Council, Abayomi Sanyaolu, while welcoming Showunmi, urged chairmen of political parties to exercise caution before aligning with the ambition of any politician, warning that consequences could arise later.
