In a twist ahead of the 2027 presidential election, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and convener of the Alternative Movement in Ogun State, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has commenced mobilisation of non-indigenes in the state to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid, describing the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda as inclusive and beneficial to all Nigerians irrespective of tribe or origin.
He made the call during meetings in Abeokuta with representatives of non-indigenous communities, including Igbo, Igede, Tiv, Calabar, Edo, Arewa and Igala groups.
He also addressed members of the Ilupeju Egba Tile Toko Hunters Association.
Showunmi asked the groups to organize members across their communities and participate actively in the 2027 general elections.
He said Ogun Central alone has more than one million registered voters, while Ogun West has more than 900,000, and urged residents across the state’s three senatorial districts to turn out in force for the president.
“I am begging you in the name of God Almighty, let us mobilise until, if possible, we take the whole one million votes for Tinubu,” he said.
The appeal reflects an effort to build support among communities whose members have long lived and done business in Ogun State.
Showunmi urged non-indigenes to regard the state as home, saying many had prospered peacefully there without discrimination, and encouraged them to use their voting strength in next year’s elections.
He said voters should assess Tinubu’s administration on its performance rather than political or ethnic differences, arguing that the 2027 election offered Nigerians an opportunity to demonstrate that no individual or ethnic group was superior to another.
Showunmi, a former aide to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, cited federal projects in the Middle Belt, including a military base, proposed state-police arrangements and road projects linking communities in Benue State with Abuja, as developments he said voters should weigh.
He asked the community leaders to carry the mobilization message back to their members and work toward securing votes for Tinubu and candidates aligned with his administration.
Francis Nwanze, Chairman of the Non-Indigene Association of Ogun State, Egba Zone, praised Showunmi for his engagement with non-indigenous residents and described him as an inspiration to the association.
He said the group, which began years ago, had grown into a viable platform made up of people of good character.
Also, addressing the Hunters’ Association, Showunmi described Tinubu as “their son” and said continued support was necessary to allow the president to consolidate reforms he argued had been carried out creditably.
He said Nigerians would be better off if Tinubu were re-elected to continue policies already underway.
Chief Bamgbose Olusegun, the Seriki Ode Egba and Secretary of the Hunters’ Association, declared the group’s support for the president’s re-election.
