On Monday, November 25, Otunba Segun Showunmi, a former Spokesperson for the defunct Atiku Abubakar Campaign Organization, emphasized the pressing need for a political movement that will challenge and ultimately dislodge the All Progressives Congress (APC) government in the 2027 elections.
At a press conference in Abuja, Showunmi reflected on Nigeria’s political evolution since the return to civilian rule in 1999. While acknowledging the progress made, such as the peaceful transfer of power between parties in 2015, he expressed deep concern over the current state of the nation’s democracy.
“The opposition movement has come a long way, but our enthusiasm has dwindled, and each election seems worse than the last,” he said, citing growing apathy among voters. He also pointed to the erosion of ideological differences between political parties, which he said had made elections more about personalities than values.
Showunmi lamented that elections had turned into a “highest bidder heist,” where money rather than merit often determined outcomes. He also voiced disappointment in the conduct of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which, despite improvements to its guidelines, has failed to instill greater transparency and integrity in the electoral process.
“The judiciary has also been compromised,” Showunmi stated, adding that there has been a dangerous erosion of its integrity, undermining its role as a balance to government institutions.
Highlighting the increasing violence and activities of thugs, he warned that Nigeria’s democracy was at risk of collapse unless drastic action was taken. He called for the formation of a new political movement, the iNational Opposition Movement Coalition, aimed at uniting Nigerians from all walks of life—political leaders, civil society, media, and the general public—in a bid to restore integrity to the political process.
“We must engage political actors, national stakeholders, academia, and democratic institutions to steer our democracy in the right direction,” Showunmi said. “We are not looking to create a new political party, but we aim to offer guidance and advocate for the issues of opposition.”
He stressed that the movement would focus on eradicating the practice of vote trading and educating Nigerians about the consequences of such corrupt practices. He also vowed to fight against the continued pillaging of the nation’s resources, saying that those with questionable wealth should not be allowed to wield power in the name of democracy.
Showunmi concluded by stating that the proposed movement would stand against chaos and work towards a better future for Nigeria. “This is a call to action,” he said, “to save our country and democracy from the dangerous path we are on.”
