Feyisayo Ogunbiyi
Otunba Segun Showunmi, the National Coordinator of The Alternative political movement, has declared that Nigeria’s democracy is broken and urgently needs a civic and generational overhaul, urging youths across the country to rise, organize, and rescue the system from collapse.
Speaking on Thursday in Abeokuta during the South-West launch of The Alternative—a coalition of like-minded political actors pushing for a radical transformation of Nigeria’s political culture—Showunmi condemned voter apathy, tribal animosity, and recycled political failures as major threats to democratic stability.
“Nigeria’s democracy is in crisis,” he declared. “We must not sugarcoat it. The youth must rise. Our political space is bleeding from tribal envy, voter disengagement, poverty, and a habit of complaining without action.”
He identified what he termed four critical burdens dragging the country’s democratic project backward: chronic voter apathy, entrenched poverty, tribal hostility, and a culture of civic inertia.
“Why would millions of registered voters stay home during elections? That must stop,” Showunmi said. “When will the children of nobody become somebody without selling their votes for peanuts?”
He lamented that a sitting president could emerge with less than eight million votes in a country with over 12 million registered voters, describing it as a sign of mass disengagement rather than democracy.
“This is not democracy; this is a disengaged society. We cannot continue to elect leaders through apathy and then expect accountability.”
Showunmi issued a three-month ultimatum to Nigerian youths and civil society groups to mobilize, unite, and develop a consensus political direction, promising to return for a national rallying point.
He also took a swipe at what he called the “recycling of certified failures,” criticizing old politicians who continually switch parties to stay in power without offering genuine reforms.
“We must reject the repackaging of failed politicians as reformers. Many of them are simply trying to stay relevant—not to save Nigeria. They are the same individuals who once fueled our division, now preaching unity,” he said.
The politician further decried government silence over The Alternative initiative, describing it as a missed opportunity for national development.
“In saner climes, the government would embrace and support a movement like this. It’s a national service. But here, we’re ignored because we’re not part of the corrupt structure,” he added.
Also speaking at the event, Labour Party National Publicity Secretary, Dr. Abayomi Arabambi, endorsed The Alternative as a vital platform for genuine political change.
“You are the true alternative for a better Nigeria. We must not allow the wrong people to sneak into power again,” Arabambi said.
Corroborating the call for unity, the Ogun State Chairman of Action Alliance and Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Abayomi Sanyaolu, commended Showunmi’s vision, describing it as a movement to rescue Nigeria from systemic decay.
“Otunba Showunmi is a man of honour. If we don’t take responsibility now, no one will. Nigeria is on the brink,” Sanyaolu added.
The launch event attracted a broad spectrum of political leaders, youth organizations, and student groups from across ethnic lines, highlighting the inclusive nature of the movement.
In recognition of his contributions, Showunmi was honored as Grand Patron of the Coalition of Concerned Political and Civic Nigerians (CCPCN).
The Alternative movement has pledged to end vote buying, reject ethnic prejudice, and challenge the recycling of failed leaders, advocating instead for transparent, ideology-driven politics ahead of the 2027 elections.
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