Segun Sowunmi, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has said that the upcoming governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states will be the first real test of the African Democratic Congress (ADC). According to him, it’s a party’s performance at the polls—not its public statements—that truly measures political credibility.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Sowunmi warned against overestimating the ADC’s strength based on hype alone. “The first test will be in Osun, then Ekiti, whichever comes first. That’s when they’ll realize that elections don’t respond to the noise they are making,” he said.
He stressed that building a credible political platform takes time and effort. “Political habits are hard to break. One must deliberately change attitudes and behaviours,” Sowunmi noted, highlighting what he sees as signs of entitlement among some ADC members. “Some already feel they deserve tickets before even joining the party.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Ekiti governorship election for June 20, 2026, and the Osun poll for August 8, 2026. INEC says these elections will serve as crucial preparatory exercises for the 2027 general elections, with reforms aimed at strengthening election integrity, including deploying Resident Electoral Commissioners outside their states and improving the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.
Sowunmi’s comments come amid growing conversations about opposition platforms and what it will take to challenge established parties effectively in Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
