Osun, Ekiti Polls Will Test ADC’s Electoral Strength — Sowunmi

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Segun Sowunmi, has said the forthcoming governorship elections in Osun and Ekiti states will serve as the first real test of the African Democratic Congress’ electoral credibility.

Sowunmi made the remark during a political affairs programme on Thursday, amid rising public debate over the ADC’s growing prominence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He dismissed suggestions that the ADC has already emerged as a dominant opposition force, arguing that political relevance is determined by electoral performance rather than public declarations.

According to him, the outcomes of the Osun and Ekiti elections will reveal the party’s true organisational capacity and grassroots appeal.

Sowunmi cautioned against premature conclusions about the ADC’s prospects, stating that political parties require time to overcome entrenched habits, internal contradictions, and structural weaknesses.

He added that parties often struggle to discard long-standing behavioural patterns, noting that reform and internal discipline take deliberate effort.

The PDP chieftain also criticised what he described as early signs of entitlement among some ADC members, warning that such attitudes could undermine the party’s cohesion and credibility.

He argued that discussions around automatic ticket allocation before meaningful electoral success reflect internal challenges that could weaken the party’s competitive standing.

INEC has scheduled the Ekiti governorship election for June 20, 2026, while the Osun election is slated for August 8, 2026, with both contests seen as key indicators ahead of the 2027 general elections.