A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, has dismissed the notion that state governors will determine the outcome of the 2027 general elections, insisting that ultimate power lies with the electorate.
Sowunmi made the remarks on Friday while appearing as a guest on Politics Today.
His comments come amid growing concerns within the opposition following the defection of several PDP governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 polls.
While acknowledging the political influence of governors, Sowunmi argued that their power does not equate to control over voters.
“Governors are important; I will not downplay that. But governors don’t make the totality of the electorate,” he said. “I have seen the holy anger of people topple nations. How much more is civic authority that people can exercise just by voting?”
He noted that the wave of defections has created a perception that the 2027 elections are already decided, but maintained that such assumptions are premature.
“It looks like it’s a done deal in the minds of some people, but I can guarantee you, if only PDP got out of court on time, things wouldn’t have been like this,” Sowunmi stated.
The PDP chieftain further predicted internal political upheavals across parties, including the ruling APC, particularly during the ticket selection process.
“You will be shocked at how many people, even in the present APC, will not get the ticket for what they want,” he said, adding that once campaigns commence, the strength and reach of the PDP would become evident.
Describing the PDP as a deeply rooted political institution, Sowunmi highlighted its long-standing presence and nationwide recognition.
“You will then understand what it means to be a 27-year-old political party with name recognition, grassroots restructuring, and strong image and logo identity,” he said.
Although he admitted dissatisfaction with the party’s current situation, Sowunmi expressed confidence in its historical role in Nigeria’s democracy.
“I am not happy that PDP is here, but I am beginning to get convinced that this is the journey the party must go through, because PDP is the university of democracy and power,” he added.
