Ogun 2027: Sowunmi declares Governorship ambition

By Omobolaji Adekunle

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State, calling for a broad coalition among opposition parties to challenge the status quo.

Speaking at the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) office in Abeokuta, Sowunmi argued that no single party can successfully unseat the ruling administration without collaboration. He urged stakeholders to form a committee to explore a common platform involving the Labour Party, NNPP, and others. He emphasized that any meaningful coalition must be built from the grassroots rather than being imposed by political elites.

Sowunmi also criticized the use of complex legal language in Nigeria’s judicial and legislative processes, calling for reforms to replace Latin expressions with plain English or local languages to make the law more accessible to ordinary Nigerians.

Reflecting on the 2023 governorship election, he noted that the narrow margin of victory proved that voters are becoming more open to alternatives. He described Ogun as being at a "critical transition point" following the leadership of former governor Ibikunle Amosun and the current administration of Dapo Abiodun, insisting that the next phase must prioritize economic sustainability and long-term planning.

On the sensitive issue of zoning, Sowunmi acknowledged that the demand for Ogun West to produce the next governor is legitimate due to the region's long-term exclusion. However, he maintained that zoning should not eliminate healthy democratic competition among qualified candidates.

He further cautioned against governing through financial inducements or "handouts," stressing that sustainable development requires deliberate policy formulation. To achieve this, he urged policymakers to better harness Ogun’s potential as the "Gateway State" through land reforms and industrial growth.

Concluding his declaration, Sowunmi challenged other 2027 aspirants to engage in open debates, asserting that leadership should be based on vision and competence rather than political patronage.