- Insists ‘noisemaking’ won’t do the job
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – With all eyes on the 2026 governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, says both events will present the first real tests for the African Democratic Congress (ADC) opposition coalition.
According to him, political credibility is earned through electoral performance, not rhetoric or ‘noisemaking’ in the public space.
Speaking in an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, amid growing public discourse around emerging opposition platforms, Sowunmi dismissed suggestions that the ADC is positioning itself as a rescue platform for Nigerians.
He argued that electoral outcomes, not public declarations, would determine the party’s relevance, saying: “Look, the first test they’re going to have will be in Osun and then Ekiti, whichever comes first. And then they’re going to learn that these things don’t yield to the noise that they are making.”
The PDP stalwart, who cautioned against premature conclusions about ADC’s prospects, said political organisations require time to shed entrenched habits and internal contradictions.
He further said: “I have a lot of opinions on the ADC, but I think it is a bit too early. One must be careful not to injure an already injured effort. I think it is injured because it takes time to purge yourself of your attitude. We are human beings; we are creatures of character and habits. The habits you pick over the years, if no one tells you they are bad, you will continue to use them.”
Also frowning at what he described as “early signs” of entitlement within the ADC’s structure, Sowunmi said: “You have not even gotten past the goal line. You already have very heavy conversations of entitlement from those who think they must be given tickets even before they join” the party.
Taking a profound look at the opposition coalition, Showunmi said the ADC should not underestimate the former governor of Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi.
He said the ADC seems to focusing on only former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi in building their momentum, warning that ignoring former Minister of Transportation, Amaechi, is a move that could easily backfire and affect the party’s electoral chances.
Hear him: “I have looked at the party (ADC) very well and I know the players, but I feel they are underestimating Rotimi Amaechi.
“I have done campaigns at that level looking for tickets. I have run campaigns for PDP when we were trying to get the presidential ticket and we got it twice. So, I should know how to read between the lines.”
For the PDP chieftain, time will surely tell if the ADC is prepared to effectively play the part of a strong opposition capable of rescuing the country from the stranglehold of the All Progressives Congress (APC) misrule in the last couple of years.
Going by its released timetable, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Ekiti State governorship election for June 20, 2026, while that of Osun State comes up on August 8, 2026.
Additionally, the Electoral umpire has released timelines for party primaries, list of candidates’ publication and campaign activities, describing the processes as crucial tests ahead of the 2027 general elections.
