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.