Labour Party Woos PDP Chieftain Showunmi for 2027 Ogun Governorship

The Ogun State chapter of the Labour Party has reached out to a senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party, Segun Showunmi, urging him to defect and fly the party’s flag in the 2027 governorship race.

Leaders of the party in the South West, led by the zonal vice chairman, Abayomi Arabambi, alongside the state chairman, Olubukola Soyoye, paid a visit to Showunmi at his Abeokuta residence to present the offer. They said the party had closely followed his political journey over the years and believed he shared its values on people-focused governance, fairness and justice.

According to the party leaders, the current administration in Ogun State has failed to improve living conditions, leaving residents dissatisfied with issues such as poor roads, failing schools and questionable urban development policies. They argued that the state needs new leadership and said Showunmi’s experience and background position him to lead such change if elected in 2027.

They further stated that the Labour Party was determined to put forward a strong candidate who could challenge the ruling party and return governance to the people, adding that Showunmi’s track record made him their preferred choice.

In his response, Showunmi described the invitation as a rare honour and acknowledged the Labour Party as a movement with clear ideas and structure, similar to workers-based parties in other countries. He noted that the party’s performance in the 2023 general elections showed it could not be dismissed in Nigeria’s political space.

Showunmi said he would not make a rushed decision, explaining that he had spent many years in the PDP and would need time to reflect and consult widely before taking any step. He mentioned that he intended to speak with President Bola Tinubu, former governors of Ogun State and the current governor before making up his mind.

He added that political growth sometimes requires leaving familiar ground and promised to give the Labour Party a clear response after careful consideration, stressing that governance and development should remain the focus of any political contest ahead of 2027.