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A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and convener of The Alternative Movement, Segun Showunmi, has called for stronger coalition politics among opposition parties as he officially declared his intention to contest the Ogun State governorship election in 2027. He made the declaration during a meeting with members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) in Abeokuta, where he emphasized the need for collaboration to strengthen Nigeria’s democratic system. 
Showunmi expressed concern that despite the large number of political parties in Nigeria, the ruling party continues to dominate due to better structure and coordination, while opposition parties remain fragmented. He attributed much of the weakness within opposition ranks to poor internal governance, disregard for party constitutions, and frequent reliance on courts to settle internal disputes. According to him, these issues are largely self-inflicted and continue to undermine democratic stability. 
Advocating for a shift in political strategy, he urged opposition stakeholders to form alliances where necessary, stressing that democracy should be driven by ideas, competition, and the will of the people rather than imposition. Showunmi warned that overdependence on the judiciary in resolving party conflicts poses long-term risks to public confidence in the political system and democratic institutions. 
Reflecting on Nigeria’s political history, he referenced early nationalist leaders and past political developments, noting that lessons from the First Republic, civil war, and military era highlight the consequences of political mismanagement. He maintained that building a strong, united opposition through coalition politics would be key to ensuring a more balanced and competitive political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections. 
