A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Segun Sowunmi, has said the upcoming governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states will serve as the first real tests for the African Democratic Congress, arguing that electoral performance, not public rhetoric, determines political credibility.
Sowunmi made the assertion during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, amid growing discussions about opposition platforms ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Dismissing suggestions that the ADC is emerging as a credible alternative for Nigerians, the PDP chieftain said upcoming electoral contests would expose the party’s actual strength.
“I don’t think so. Look, the first test they’re going to have will be in Osun and then Ekiti, whichever comes first. And then they’re going to learn that these things don’t yield to the noise that they are making,” he said.
Sowunmi warned against hasty judgments about the party’s prospects, noting that political organisations need time to overcome internal weaknesses and entrenched behaviours.
“I have a lot of opinions on the ADC, but I think it is a bit too early. One must be careful not to injure an already injured effort. I think it is injured because it takes time to purge yourself of your attitude,” he said.
He added that changing political habits requires deliberate effort and self-awareness.
“We are human beings; we are creatures of character and habits. The habits you pick over the years, if no one tells you they are bad, you will continue to use them,” Sowunmi explained.
The PDP stalwart also raised concerns about what he described as signs of entitlement within the ADC’s ranks.
“You have not even gotten past the goal line. You already have very heavy conversations of entitlement from those who think they must be given tickets even before they join,” he stated.
The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the Ekiti governorship election for June 20, 2026, while the Osun poll is set for August 8, 2026.
INEC has released timelines for party primaries, candidate nomination and campaign activities, describing the elections as important preparatory exercises ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The electoral body says it is implementing reforms to strengthen election integrity, including deploying Resident Electoral Commissioners outside their states of origin and improving the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System.
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