Ahead of the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State, the Labour Party has reached out to the convener of The Alternatives and Peoples Democratic Party chieftain, Otunba Segun Showunmi, inviting him to be the party’s flagbearer for the gubernatorial race.
The move was disclosed during a visit by Labour Party executives, led by the party’s South West Vice Chairman, Abayomi Arabambi, and the Ogun State Chairman, Mrs Olubukola Soyoye, to Showunmi at his private residence in GRA, Ibara, Abeokuta, over the weekend.
The party said Showunmi had long been on its radar and praised his passion for good governance as well as his deep commitment to democratic ideals of equity and justice aimed at advancing the welfare of the masses.
Speaking during the visit, Arabambi criticised the All Progressives Congress administration in the state, saying it had failed to improve the lives of residents and should be voted out in 2027.
He said: “Labour Party members are here at your private residence to ask you to join us and drive our 2027 governorship ambition. We have suffered enough under the leadership of the APC government, and the people of Ogun State must begin to smile.
“We want you to be our governorship candidate in 2027. We can’t continue to be second-class citizens in our own state; we are suffering and smiling. With your antecedents, experience, and pedigree, we know you have what it takes to offer a refreshing time for the residents of the state. Our roads are bad, schools are in shambles, and urbanisation policies are being pursued with a hidden agenda.”
In his response, Showunmi described the Labour Party as one with a stable ideology, likening it to workers’ parties in China, Brazil, and other parts of the world. He said a party that polled over six million votes in the 2023 general elections should not be regarded as a pushover in Nigeria’s political space.
Showunmi described the invitation as the greatest honour he had ever received and said he would give serious consideration to the request after consulting President Bola Tinubu, former governors Gbenga Daniel and Ibikunle Amosun, as well as the incumbent governor, Dapo Abiodun.
He said: “You have called on me to contest on the platform of the Labour Party in 2027. I don’t even know how to begin to thank you for this great honour. Reflecting on everything I have done in life, I can say I have never received an honour this great.
“By the grace of God Almighty, I will consider your request seriously because I will have to leave where I am, where I have invested many years. I have been with the PDP since 1998. When the time to depart comes, no one should be afraid of leaving their comfort zone. So, I will go and think deeply about your request.
“For the 2027 governorship race in the state, I have looked at everyone in the race and have not found anyone more eminently qualified or better prepared for the job at hand.”
