Ogun governorship candidate imposition warning as Segun Showunmi urges consultation and equity ahead of 2027 elections

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ogun State, Segun Showunmi, has warned that the Egba people will resist any attempt at the imposition of a governorship candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Showunmi, who is also the convener of The Alternative Movement, said the Ogun governorship candidate imposition debate must be guided by broad consultation with stakeholders within Ogun Central Senatorial District, regardless of the involvement of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Friday to mark the Lisabi Festival, he stressed that political legitimacy must be rooted in consensus rather than unilateral decisions, warning that any attempt to sideline key blocs could destabilise the state’s long-standing political balance.

He also criticised a recent visit by the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, to certain traditional rulers in the state without engaging established institutions in Egbaland.

According to him, such actions could be interpreted as efforts to weaken Egba influence in determining the state’s leadership.

Highlighting the principle of equity, Showunmi said power rotation among the major blocs, Egba, Ijebu/Remo and Yewa/Awori, has historically sustained stability in Ogun State and must not be undermined.

“It is neither rational nor just to contemplate a prolonged concentration of governorship power in Iperu,” he said, warning that any arrangement suggesting extended dominance by a single locality would be politically untenable.

The PDP chieftain also raised concerns over what he described as stalled development across several Egba divisions, including Abeokuta North, Abeokuta South and Ifo, citing infrastructure deficits and controversial land allocation practices.

He argued that such challenges weaken the region’s influence despite its historical and demographic significance.

Showunmi emphasised that consultation with stakeholders is essential in determining the 2027 governorship candidate, noting that decisions imposed without local input would be strongly resisted.

“The role of the President will be closely observed. Consultation is not a courtesy but a necessity,” he said.

He further invoked the legacy of Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, calling for unity, resilience and strategic clarity in shaping the state’s political future.

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The warning comes amid early political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with debates over zoning, equity and power rotation already gaining momentum in Ogun State.