A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Otunba Segun Showunmi, has criticised the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ogun State over its process of adopting Senator Solomon Adeola as its consensus candidate ahead of the 2027 governorship election.
ThelensNG reports that Senator Adeola, popularly known as Yayi was announced as the consensus candidate by Governor Dapo Abiodun during the APC strategic caucus meeting held at the party secretariat in Abeokuta on Monday.
Reacting on Tuesday, Showunmi expressed concern over what he described as a deeply troubling and “frankly astonishing” situation, arguing that independent-minded actors in Ogun State appear to have become “thoroughly captured.”
He acknowledged that political parties have the right to determine their internal processes, including adopting consensus as a method of selecting candidates.
“But across every serious political system where consensus has credibility, it rests on one indispensable foundation: integrity. Without that, consensus degenerates into imposition,” Showunmi said.
“That is precisely the issue before us. Those now attempting to foist this arrangement on Ogun State bring with them no demonstrable record of integrity neither in private conduct, nor in public service, nor in any coherent understanding of the responsibilities of governance. In such circumstances, what is being presented as consensus is, in reality, a crude instrument of control.”
He warned that the situation reflects the early stages of “state capture,” stressing that it must be resisted.
“We are therefore confronted with a defining test: not just of the arrogance of those seeking to impose their will, but of the resolve or complicity of a people once known for their independence.”
He further argued that history offers important lessons, citing the decline of the Oyo Empire as a reminder that no system is beyond challenge. He also referenced the legacy of the Egba United Government, noting that it reflected strong indigenous governance structures capable of commanding respect even from external powers.
Showunmi added that the Ijebu people demonstrated similar resolve during the Anglo-Ijebu War (also known as the Magbon War), choosing resistance over submission in the face of imperial pressure.
“That heritage imposes a duty,” he said, insisting that in a democracy, no generation should accept subjugation or be reduced to “a conquered people.”
Showunmi equally maintained that no justification — political convenience, party loyalty, or manufactured inevitability, can compel a free people to surrender their autonomy.
He added that while the unfolding process may be presented as orderly and procedural, it is experienced by many as humiliation.
