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.”