A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Segun Sowunmi, has declared his intention to contest the 2027 Ogun State governorship election, while keeping his party platform open.

Sowunmi made the announcement during a visit to the secretariat of the Inter-Party Advisory Council in Abeokuta, where he met with members to seek collaboration ahead of the polls.

“I will be running for governor in the 2027 governorship election,” he said, adding that he was consulting widely to determine the most viable path forward.

He said he had yet to decide on the political platform he would use, noting that he would align with the “most stable and organised” party.

“I have come to plead with you to set up a small committee among yourselves to determine how we can collaborate to make this happen,” Sowunmi told IPAC members.

The former spokesperson to ex-vice president Atiku Abubakar emphasised the need for coalition politics, arguing that opposition parties must unite to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress.

“No single opposition party can unseat the APC without broad alliances,” he said, warning against what he described as “state capture” and “coronation politics”.

Sowunmi urged political stakeholders in Ogun State to prioritise ideas, leadership quality and development plans over ethnic considerations or personal attacks.

He has repeatedly advocated leveraging Ogun’s proximity to Lagos to drive economic growth and ensure balanced development across the state’s senatorial districts.

His latest declaration follows earlier signals of interest, including a February engagement with stakeholders where he first publicly indicated his ambition to run for governor.

Sowunmi has also reportedly received overtures from other political platforms, including the Labour Party, though he has continued to keep his options open as consultations intensify.

Political analysts say his decision to delay choosing a party may be a strategic move aimed at building a broader coalition ahead of the election.

The 2027 Ogun governorship race is already attracting attention, with several aspirants positioning themselves amid shifting alliances within both the ruling party and opposition groups.

Sowunmi is expected to deepen consultations with political actors and stakeholders across the state in the coming months as he refines his campaign strategy.

The contest will determine the successor to incumbent governor Dapo Abiodun, whose tenure is set to end in 2027.