2027: ‘You can’t contest without structure’ – Sowunmi tells Peter Obi
Sowunmi Urges Political Alliances Ahead of 2027 Presidential Election
Segun Sowunmi, the convener of The Alternative movement, emphasized the necessity of strong political structures and alliances for successful presidential campaigns. In a recent interview with News Central, Sowunmi addressed the potential candidacy of Peter Obi, the presidential nominee of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, ahead of the 2027 election.
Sowunmi stated that a solitary approach would not suffice for Obi in the upcoming race, asserting the importance of collaboration among political actors. “There are seasons and there are times you have to know you are not going to singularly run into an election that requires structure,” he remarked, highlighting the need for candidates to be attuned to the political landscape.
The former member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) further argued that Obi must take into account the political standing of the governors in the South-East. He noted the potential implications of this dynamic on Obi’s strategy, particularly in relation to the benefits accrued by the region from the Federal Government. “If you have five governors in your zone, and all of them are advocating for their states based on observable benefits, it warrants serious consideration,” Sowunmi explained.
Sowunmi also pointed to the Federal Government’s infrastructure initiatives in the South-East, mentioning the Minister of Works’ efforts to improve regional development. He suggested that the visible progress in infrastructure could play a significant role in shaping voters’ perceptions. “If you see your Minister of Works doing exceedingly more than anybody since the Civil War to return infrastructure to the South-East, you may say, ‘Okay, why not?’,” he said.
While Sowunmi acknowledged the challenges posed by a lack of political structure, he asserted that aspiring candidates should not be deterred from running for office. “Nobody has the right to force anybody not to go into the field to lose an election,” he stated.
He also called for cooperation among political factions in the South, advocating for a united front as the current administration completes its term. “Now that it’s in the South, let the South collaborate together, and let the man that is on the seat finish his term, and let it swing to the North then it will swing back, and there will be opportunities for this negotiation and recalibration,” Sowunmi said.
Emphasizing the essence of democracy, Sowunmi reminded candidates of the importance of accepting electoral outcomes, whether as winners or losers. “Democracy needs somebody to lose. That’s why you need people to also contest elections,” he concluded.
