…ends nationwide townhall

By Ezra Ukanwa

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Showunmi, has concluded his nationwide The Alternative Movement townhall series with a final meeting in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he took a swipe at the coalition adopting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

The townhall meetings, held under the banner of Showunmi’s socio-political group, The Alternative Movement, culminated in a large gathering at the DLK Event Centre in Abeokuta, drawing attendees across party lines, including members of the APC, PDP, Labour Party, and the coalition-aligned ADC.

Addressing the gathering, Showunmi emphasized that The Alternative Movement aims to reorient Nigerians on the need to combat voters’ apathy, vote-buying, ethnic politics, and the recycling of failed political leaders.

He declared his deep interest in the outcome of the 2027 elections, describing it as a defining moment for Nigeria’s democracy and future. “Politics should be about the country, not individuals,” he said. 

“The Alternative wants the best of us to lead the rest of us, regardless of party lines.”

In a sharp critique of the ADC-aligned coalition, Showunmi said the group lacks the credibility and structure to pose a serious challenge to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government. “That coalition is built on quicksand,” he said, insisting that its key promoters are not capable of uniting the country or inspiring confidence.

In a separate media chat, Showunmi suggested that the coalition’s only chance of making a real impact would be by fielding former President Goodluck Jonathan as its presidential candidate—a scenario he admitted remains highly unlikely.

Reacting to the event, Labour Party’s Publicity Secretary, Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, acknowledged the relevance of coalition politics but stressed that it must be rooted in genuine progressivism. He said, “Coalition built with genuine progressive alliances can be powerful vehicles for change. What we reject—what every sane Nigerian must reject—is the repackaging of certified failures as reformers.”

The townhall served as a platform for cross-party dialogue and citizen engagement, reinforcing Showunmi’s message that Nigeria’s political future must not be left to career politicians alone.