A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Otunba Segun Sowunmi, in this interview with ONYEDIKA AGBEDO, speaks on his continued membership of the party, his civic platform – The Alternative – and his approach to political engagement across party lines. He also weighs in on the debate on Nigeria’s political future ranging from issues on party loyalty, in view of the spate of defections across political parties, to national development and generational leadership. Sowunmi highlights Prince Adewole Adebayo as one of the emerging political figures Nigerians should seriously consider in conversations about generational renewal. While acknowledging the structural realities of Nigeria’s political landscape, he argues that the country must deliberately create space for credible, prepared and ideologically-driven leaders capable of shaping its next chapter.

A lot of Nigerians appear to be confused about your membership of the People’s Democratic (PDP). You run The Alternative platform, which some say you are using as a bargaining chip. Also, you openly acknowledge some of President Tinubu’s policies. Are you still in PDP?
IT is unfortunate what is happening within the PDP, but political parties go through phases. For those of us who remain, we must be realistic and responsible. Acknowledging good policies is not the same as defecting or endorsing a government wholesale. If the government embarks on projects like the coastal road or the Sokoto–Badagry road, should we pretend not to see their long-term implications? Such infrastructure benefits future generations.

If local government autonomy is strengthened, if conversations about state police become serious, if subsidy removal blocks leakages and ensures fuel availability, should we not objectively assess those policies? Politics should not blind us to national interest.

I am not confused. I believe in constructive engagement – criticising when necessary and acknowledging progress when it occurs. Democracy must move beyond mere change of faces every four years; it must produce real development.

I created The Alternative so we can begin to think differently. We cannot keep saying everything is bad and offer no hope. Let us look for the best among us – not only for the presidency – but for councillors, legislators, governors and all positions of responsibility.

Are you suggesting that the allegation that The Alternative was created as a bargaining chip is not founded?
The Alternative is not a bargaining chip; it is a reorientation platform. It is meant to encourage Nigerians to participate actively in politics and to vote responsibly. If you do not vote, you have voted against all of us. I want citizens to scrutinise candidates carefully and stop recycling the same political actors without accountability.

Criticise your leaders, yes – but do not hate your country. We must stop waking up daily to curse Nigeria. The platform is about hope, responsibility, and ensuring that the best among us lead the rest of us.

PDP has shed a lot of weight in recent months. Many of the heavyweights, including serving governors, past presidential aspirants and founding members have left the party and the majority of them pitched their tents with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Why are you still a member of the party?
Democracy requires viable alternatives. If opposition collapses into one dominant party, democracy suffers. Defections do not erase grassroots support. The PDP still has structure and roots. Political power is not eternal; those ruling today will not rule forever. Our duty is to articulate alternatives, criticise where necessary, praise where appropriate, and build consensus for national progress.

You were close to former vice president Atiku Abubakar. He has left the PDP and joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he hopes to contest for the presidency in 2027. Have you parted ways with him?

I supported and campaigned for him, but I am not someone who moves from party to party. Stability matters to me.

Politics should also respect principles like rotation and generational renewal. In a diverse country like Nigeria, leadership cannot always revolve around one individual’s ambition.

Talking about generational renewal, what would you say about your friend, Prince Adewole Adebayo, who is contesting for the presidency on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP)?
People like Adebayo fit into the category of giving younger leaders a chance. He represents a new generation that is intellectually prepared and ideologically driven.

However, Nigeria is a multi-religious and multicultural country. Issues such as rotation and regional balance must always be considered. We must be sensitive to those realities.
Does Adebayo stand a chance in the 2027 presidential election?

Electoral success depends on party structure, national spread and political organisation.

Running on a smaller platform presents challenges. But the larger issue is this: Nigeria must create room for credible alternatives. Prepared minds should not be ignored. If Nigerians truly want renewal, they must be willing to support capable new generation leaders when they emerge.