Ahead of the 2027 Nigerian general election, two chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adelaja Adeoye and Segun Showunmi, have indicated interest in contesting the governorship elections in Lagos State and Ogun State, respectively — a development political watchers say could test the strength of opposition politics in Nigeria’s South-West region.
Their declarations come at a time when the region has remained largely under the control of the All Progressives Congress (APC), with opposition parties struggling to mount formidable challenges in recent electoral cycles.
Adeoye, a Lagos-based media strategist and real estate entrepreneur, has emerged as one of the prominent voices advocating the revival of the PDP in Lagos. Known within party circles for his involvement in internal consultations, he has also contributed to discussions on zoning arrangements ahead of the 2027 elections, which he believes could reshape the party’s electoral prospects.
A graduate of the University of Lagos, Adeoye also holds a master’s degree in Property Development and Management from Lead City University.
Read also: PDP depletes, APC governors rise to 31 as Lawal joins fold
His political career spans several years of party activism. In 2017, he served as the pioneer State Publicity Secretary of the Action Democratic Party in Lagos before rising to become the party’s National Publicity Secretary in 2019.
In 2022, he declared his ambition to represent Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency II in the House of Representatives under the PDP platform.
Political observers say his reported interest in the Lagos governorship reflects a broader attempt to reposition the PDP in Nigeria’s commercial capital, where the party has faced electoral setbacks and internal divisions in recent years.
Supporters argue that his background in communications, entrepreneurship and grassroots engagement could help reconnect the party with voters, particularly younger constituents seeking fresh leadership perspectives.
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Ogun State, Showunmi, a former spokesperson to Atiku Abubakar during the 2019 presidential campaign, has also declared his intention to contest the governorship election.
Showunmi, who convenes the civic platform “The Alternatives”, formally announced his ambition earlier this year, citing developmental challenges in healthcare, education and infrastructure across the state.
Speaking during his declaration, he emphasised the need for governance that prioritises citizens’ welfare over political privilege.
“We need to design Ogun not to work for the person in Oke-Mosan, but to work for every person in the nooks and crannies of the state,” he said.
He also raised concerns about the condition of public institutions, including the historic Sacred Heart Hospital, calling for leadership driven by character, consensus and long-term development planning.
Read also: Oyetola meets APC elders, intensifies grassroots engagement ahead guber poll
Although he has reportedly received overtures from other political platforms, including the Labour Party and the Action Alliance, Showunmi remains associated with the PDP, where he is widely regarded as an influential voice and youth advocate.
Analysts say the decision by both politicians to pursue their ambitions within the PDP is notable in a political environment where many aspirants defect to ruling parties in search of easier electoral pathways.
Their moves, they argue, could test whether the PDP, which has experienced internal crises and electoral losses nationally in recent years, can rebuild momentum in the South-West and present credible alternatives to the ruling APC.
For voters in Lagos and Ogun, the early declarations may also signal the beginning of political realignments as political actors begin positioning ahead of the 2027 elections.
