Showunmi's Alternative Movement vows to tackle low voter turnout in rural areas

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party and National Coordinator of The Alternative Movement, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has reiterated that the movement aims to reawaken the political consciousness of Nigerians at the grassroots, saying the era of vote-buying and unfulfilled political promises are over.

Showunmi, who was represented by Mr Adai Edwin at a farmers' empowerment programme tagged ‘Agbe Gbelu’, held at Imeko Afon Local Government Area of Ogun State, disclosed that The Alternative is a movement transcending political parties, aimed at fostering a more engaged and responsible electorate.

The gathering, which empowered farmers with essential farming equipment, had in attendance the Baale of the community, leadership of the movement, among others.

Addressing journalists, Showunmi explained that the movement aims to empower grassroots communities to independently choose trustworthy candidates who genuinely prioritise the people's interests, rather than accepting imposed leaders, regardless of party affiliation.

Speaking on the pressing issue of low voter turnout, he said voting is a fundamental civic right and responsibility, not a favour to anyone, and therefore urged relevant stakeholders and citizens to recognise that their participation on election days is crucial for a thriving democracy.

"The message is very simple, we need to first of all reawaken the consciousness of Nigerians at the grassroots level. The era of vote buying, the eras of politicians making promises and not delivering, the era of politics of bitterness, the era when our people are not coming out to vote are gone."

"The national movement of the opposition political party, which is The Alternative, is set to reawaken the consciousness of Nigerians to understand that everything is not about the immediate,” he said.

The Egba-born politician emphasised, "Our major purpose is to see to it that the grassroots are politically conscious whereby, during election time, they should be able to come up with a candidate that they can trust, not one that is imposed on them. A candidate that has the interest of the people at heart, regardless of the political party they represent.

"The era where we see our leaders struggling to do things that ordinary political office holders should do is over. And again, what we are trying to make them understand is that the time of election is a very serious season. And therefore, it is expected of them to go out and vote. We cannot have this high number of people at the grassroots level and not be able to get a sizable number of votes."

"The voter turnout is very low, and therefore we have taken it upon ourselves to sensitise them, to make them understand that the civic responsibility of every citizen is their right. On election days, the ability for you to wake up and cast your vote is actually what determines and makes you a true citizen of this country. And that is the message. Because our purpose really is to see to it that we bring political consciousness to the people at the grassroots. It’s not only about what they can get, it is a two-way thing.”

On his part, the Chairman of The Alternative in the Southwest, Mr Olushola Salau, who was equally decorated as an ambassador to the Farmers Association, said it is important to increase food production, adding that the gathering focused on agricultural empowerment.

Salau noted that the farmers present were serious producers with vast land holdings, not "hungry farmers," stating that Otunba Showunmi, as the leader of The Alternative, aims to provide them with the leadership and support needed to thrive.

He explained that the movement is not a political party and noted the presence of members from various political parties, including APC, Labour Party, and PDP.

His words: "This time in Nigeria, the population is increasing, and the North is reducing in food production. We know in the West we have massive land. As you can see, these farmers are not hungry farmers.

"They are farmers that are serious, that are producing. They are farmers that have hectares of land in their names. And when we met them, we believed we should give them a leader that can pull their hands up and help them. And that is what Otunba Showunmi, the leader of The Alternative, is up to.

"You can see here, we have APC here. We are not a political party, The Alternative is not a political party. It's a movement. You see APC here, you see Labour Party, you see PDP. Even the Otunba is a PDP man, as of today. But you can imagine him walking throughout the nation with all political parties just to achieve success."

"Our aim is to help the government to know them, to know what they can do for them, to help the citizens of Ogun State to get cheaper food. Now, we have taken a warehouse for them. We have paid for the warehouse so that they can move their things, and it’s very close to Kuto Market."

Speaking earlier, the Baale of the community expressed appreciation, saying that the gesture has brought joy and relief to the farmers.

Awujale's shoes too big to fill — Showunmi mourns Oba Adetona

The Late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona 

Otunba Segun Showunmi has described the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Ọba Sikiru Kayọde Adetọna, as a towering monarch whose legacy will be difficult to match.

“Your shoes are very big, only the gods can help fill this mighty shoe you left behind,” Showunmi said in a heartfelt tribute following the monarch’s passing.

Mourning the revered traditional ruler, he wrote, “Ajankoro dugbe dugbe! Ogbagba, Agbaotewole, Omo anikinlaya saogun, jigbini bi ata ileke, Sikiru Adetona the greatest of great Awujales. Oh death, where is thy sting?”

Showunmi praised the late monarch’s lifelong devotion to the Ijebu people and his commitment to their development and wellbeing.

“You lived for Ijebuland, you lived for the sons and daughters of the Ijebu kingdom. You demonstrated with your dedication to the affairs of your people,” he said.

He lauded Oba Adetona’s refinement, noting that the monarch “carried himself with the candour and dignity befitting of a refined Yoruba traditional ruler” and “made us all proud.”

The tribute highlighted the Awujale’s contributions to culture, education, and religion, particularly his elevation of the world-famous Ojude Oba festival.

“Imagine the world-acclaimed festival known as the Ojude Oba Ijebu ceremony, a durbar with Oriental Arabic origin... We embraced it and made it our own with our unique owambe flavour that you elevated to a global event,” he said.

Showunmi said the monarch’s passing marked the fall of a great iroko, noting, “Your duty is done on this royal throne, in this sphere. Now you join the ancestors, your ancestors, our forebears. I reckon they will be proud of you for leaving the throne better than you found it.”

He ended his tribute with prayers and traditional praise poetry:

“Baba Adetoun sun re. May Almighty Allah accept your soul and forgive your sins.

“Omo arojo joye, omo alagemo ogun woyowoyo...

“My condolences to the Fidipote Royal Family of Ijebu Ode.”

Showunmi knocks Atiku, Obi's ADC coalition

Segun Showunmi 

Otunba Segun Showunmi, Promoter and Chief Convener of The Alternative, a pan-Nigerian movement, has criticised the African Democratic Congress describing it as a coalition marked by "commotion, confusion and corruption".

Speaking during the South-West Town Hall meeting of The Alternative in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Thursday, Showunmi condemned the latest political realignment which saw key opposition figures, including former Senate President David Mark and ex-Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, take up leadership positions in the ADC as Interim National Chairman and Secretary respectively.

Opposition leaders such as former presidential candidates like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi had adopted ADC as the new platform for a coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in the next general election.

Reacting to the development, Showunmi said, “It’s the right of politicians to do whatever they want to do but it’s the duty of citizens to look at them and say, you have done this kind of trick one time too many."

He further criticised the character and approach of those leading the coalition.

“That party, the ADC, has been in existence for sometimes. Some of our people have been there and they even have contested issue around their Chairmanship.

“Yet, today, you have left your own party and you have rushed in there. If you go there quietly like decent people so that you don’t carry the same character you had in your party to destroy your party into a new forum, people would have respected you.

“But what are you doing? You're huffing and puffing as if the party does not have members before. Who will follow such people?

“So, when people ask me what I have to say about the coalition or whatever they call it? I will just say, the merry-go-round of the musical chair they have been doing since 1992 did not work them and will not work now,” he said.

Showunmi, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), said while Nigerians still have time to decide whether to re-elect President Tinubu or not, entrusting power to the current coalition would be futile.

“In the meantime, we may not know who can to be fit in, but we know these ones can not do anything. It will be a waste of everybody’s time even if they try it,” he said.

He explained that The Alternative movement was established to deepen Nigeria's democracy by addressing challenges such as voter apathy, vote buying, and national disunity, while also working to present credible and qualified aspirants for leadership.

In his remarks, the Public Secretary of the Labour Party (LP), Abayomi Arabambi, aligned with Showunmi’s position, stressing the need for coalitions rooted in progressive ideals.

“Nigeria needs coalition with progressive-mindedness,” he said. “We must all come together to salvage the country. Nigerians must reject repackaging of political despots as saviours.”

Ignorance, ego in misunderstanding of names & titles in Africa

Gbenga Adeoye 

By Gbenga Adeoye 

I have listened to many people in Nigeria who, when you ask them to tell you their name, you hear words like "My name is Dr. XYZ," "My name is Prof. XYZ," or "My name is Chief XYZ."

In fact, I recall some years ago, someone was introduced, and the person got so angry that "Otunba" was omitted in his name.

Let me correct this wrong notion: Profession is not a name, and title is not a name.

You hear people say, "I am Surveyor XYZ." No — it is wrong. It should be, for example, "My name is Gbenga Adeoye. I am a Land or Estate Surveyor & Valuer." (The author is not a surveyor, please.)

This desire for title is a sign of emptiness, and it has entered the church too.

Some want to be addressed as Evangelist XYZ… even young boys singing here and there now add the prefix of "Evangelist this" and "that."

This is what inferiority complex and ego are doing to us in Africa.

In the US, I recall, even we executive students that came to Harvard for a short time addressed our lecturers by first name. We call them Mike, John… etc. You hear words like:

"Join me as I welcome John Bedford. John is a Professor of Business Management."

Great men like Bro Gbile Akanni are still “brothers.”

Small boys are now Apostles — despite having no spiritual results to show — they just want to copy some Apostles who have real results to show for their labour.

Some people who are now called Apostles and Bishops — even in their hearts — know they do not carry such titles in their work with God. It is fake, until it becomes real.

I know a billionaire who cautioned somebody to address him by his name and not add "Alhaji" to it.

My concern rose when I watched the Senate screening of a nominee who got angry that his name is Professor XYZ, and they had been addressing him as Mr XYZ.

This is a very serious problem in Nigeria and Africa.

There is a level you will get to that your title becomes attached to your name when people want to mention your name. That is a level that Prof. Wole Soyinka had gotten to many years ago.

The likes of Pastor E.A Adeboye and Pastor Kumuyi are at that level too, where anyone who wants to mention their names finds it uncomfortable not to add that prefix.

I do hear people ignorantly say, “Point of correction. My name is not Mr XYZ... My name is Dr XYZ or Prof XYZ... or Engr XYZ... or Chief or Otunba XYZ.”

The point of correction is to you because you do not know the difference between what a name is and what a prefix or title is.

Here is the way to answer a question like “Tell us your name and who you are” or “Give a brief about yourself”:

"I am Olugbenga Adeyemi ADEOYE. I am from Ogun State.

I am a Professor of Accounting or Law or Medicine at XYZ University." (hypothetical example)

As a matter of fact, if the question ends at your name, you just say, "I am Gbenga Adeoye."

This misconception was properly addressed by Adams Oshiomhole — that “Professor” is not part of your name — during the Senate committee screening of a nominated INEC commissioner. (Although I wish he spoke more about it.)

I hear people say: “I am Senator XYZ.” That is very wrong!

Rather, you should say: “I am Olugbenga Adeyemi Adeoye, Senator representing XYZ Constituency of XYZ State.”

The honour of prefix attachment to your name is better done by people — not you — when people ask for your name.

Please, let no one get me wrong. I am an advocate of the fact that if you truly earned your PhD, put it on your card. Even if you have written “Dr XYZ,” I argue that “PhD” showing on your card is what differentiates you from the bastardised honorary doctorate degrees around Nigeria where everybody now calls themselves “Dr XYZ.” But if you add PhD in front, then we would know your doctorate is a result of hard work and research.

I do know, of course, that there are people who didn’t go for proper study or research, and all of a sudden, you just hear them say they now have a PhD…

You only need to ask them a few questions to know they are fake PhD holders, such as:

i. What was your research based on?

ii. Who supervised your thesis?

iii. Who was your external examiner?

iv. Who was your internal examiner?

v. What was the addition you added to knowledge?

vi. When was your doctorate declared?

vii. How was your Pre-Field?

viii. How was your Post-Field?

ix. How was your Oral?

If you ask someone who bought a PhD or is holding a fake PhD any of the above questions, you will see them confused — because they never studied nor carried out any research to get it.

It is very worrisome that in various departments of our institutions of higher learning in Africa, there are people holding fake certificates and yet working as lecturers. How then do you want to end examination malpractice?

These are the kinds of lecturers that demand money from students.

I understand we even have such people in secondary schools as teachers now!

Teachers who sell grades to students in high schools. Men and women without conscience. Those who cannot give them money will get low scores.

It is better not to have enough teachers or lecturers than have people who compromise academic standards.

No wonder most high school students see cheating in WAEC, NECO, or JAMB exams as a way — because evil teachers have made them believe you must buy grades.

CONCLUSION 

Title is not a name, and let us know that profession is also not a name.

While we give honour to whom honour is due, we must find a way to flush out fake degree holders from our system.

We must focus on having men with integrity and truthfulness as teachers so that we can produce graduates with character — not just mere certificates, with too many dishonest and wild people around.

The Author, Gbenga Adeoye, is a Lawyer and Chartered Accountant with a PhD in Management Accounting and an LLM in International Business Law.

He can be reached via email at:[dga@gbengaadeoye.com]

(mailto: dga@gbengaadeoye.com)