• Super Admin
• 08 Mar, 2026

Two prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adelaja Adeoye and Segun Showunmi, have indicated interest in the 2027 governorship elections in Lagos State and Ogun State respectively. Political observers said the moves represent an early effort by the PDP to reassert its presence in the South-West, where the All Progressives Congress (APC) has maintained strong political influence in recent electoral cycles. Adeoye, a PDP chieftain in Lagos, has been active in party affairs and internal discussions on strategy ahead of the 2027 elections. Known within political circles as Laja Adeoye, he has built a profile as a communications strategist and entrepreneur. He holds academic qualifications from the University of Lagos and a master's degree in Property Development and Management from Lead City University. Adeoye previously served as the pioneer Lagos State Publicity Secretary of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in 2017 before becoming the party's National Publicity Secretary in 2019. In 2022, he contested for the House of Representatives ticket under the PDP for Oshodi-Isolo Federal Constituency II in Lagos West Senatorial District. Analysts note that his reported governorship ambition may reflect a broader effort within the PDP to rebuild its structure and voter appeal in Lagos, Nigeria's commercial hub. In neighbouring Ogun State, Showunmi, a former spokesperson to Atiku Abubakar, has also publicly declared his intention to contest the 2027 governorship election. In January and February 2026 declarations, Showunmi formally announced his intention to run for governor, citing deep developmental gaps in healthcare, education, and infrastructure, as well as the failure to fully leverage Ogun's strategic proximity to Lagos. Speaking passionately, he declared, "We need to design Ogun not to work for the person in Oke-Mosan, but to work for every person in the nooks and crannies of the state." He lamented the poor state of facilities such as the historic Sacred Heart Hospital and called for leadership rooted in character, consensus-building, and genuine public interest rather than personal ambition. Though Showunmi has been courted by other parties, including the Labour Party and Action Alliance (which recently endorsed him), his roots remain firmly in the PDP, where he continues to command respect as a bridge-builder and youth advocate. In a political landscape where many aspirants quietly wait for "anointing" or defect to the ruling party for easier passage, the decision by these two men to fly the PDP flag in 2027 is notable. It challenges the narrative that opposition politics in Lagos and Ogun is futile. It also tests whether the PDP still reeling from national setbacks -- can rally behind credible candidates capable of giving the APC a genuine contest. Political analysts said their candidacies could inspire a new generation of politicians who believe in fighting from within rather than jumping ship. "As the countdown to 2027 begins in earnest, one thing is certain: Prince Adeoye and Otunba Showunmi have already succeeded in doing what few dared reminding Nigerians that boldness still has a place in our democracy. "While the PDP has faced electoral challenges in the region in recent years, analysts suggest that the emergence of new aspirants could contribute to renewed internal mobilisation and broader political competition in Lagos and Ogun states." Source: https://thenationonlineng.net/2027-two-pdp-chieftains-vow-to-challenge-apc-in-lagos-ogun/