Segun Sowunmi mocks ADC, says 2027 presidential election between APC, PDP

Segun Sowunmi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), says the 2027 presidential election will still be a two-horse race between the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his party.

Speaking on Monday during an interview on Sunrise Daily, a Channels Television programme, Sowunmi said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) lacks the structure and influence to mount a serious challenge.

“The 2027 presidential election will still be a contest between the APC, the ruling party, and the PDP,” he said.

“You see that coalition they’re running around with called the ADC? They’re entitled to their huff and puff, but if you look at the recent off-season elections, they haven’t achieved much.”

The PDP chieftain said the party still has a strong grassroots base, despite defections by some influential members.

“We can see one or two or three personalities created by PDP who now think they can do it alone,” he said.

“I expect the real challenge of the ADC will be how to even pick a candidate among excessively ambitious people who see everything as either themselves, their way, or the highway.”

Sowunmi said that aside from the APC and PDP, other parties lack staying power or internal democracy.

“At least with us, you hear debates about the NEC, the EXCO, arguments and all that,” he said.

“You compare us with groups that just sit down and take instructions from one or two people, or with a portmanteau political party where the financier is also the presidential candidate.”

Sowunmi also described the opposition party as the “university of democratic participation” in Nigeria.

“Never ever rule out PDP,” Sowunmi said. “How can you dismiss a party that has existed since 1998, never changed its name, never changed its logo, everybody knows its slogan, and it is still going strong?”

“If you give us votes again, we will give you abundant life as we have always done. If you choose otherwise, you will live with the consequences of your decision.”

Sowunmi said the PDP has survived repeated crises because it is resilient and adaptable.

“The PDP is a party that has not nine lives, but 18 lives. The same people who once created challenges for PDP under Jonathan are the ones now creating problems for APC,” he added.