Segun Sowunmi, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has defended his recent engagement with President Bola Tinubu.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ yesterday, Sowunmi insisted that his engagement with Mr Tinubu does not amount to a betrayal of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Mr Sowunmi, who served as spokesperson for Atiku during the 2023 presidential campaign, argued that Mr Tinubu, the All Progressives Congress (APC) leader, demonstrates greater strategic insight than his political adversaries, including Labour Party’s Peter Obi.
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He stressed his independence in political decision-making. “As an adult, I can make my own choices. I don’t belong to anyone, and I’m not anti-Tinubu,” he said, responding to criticism surrounding his apparent shift in political alignment.
Brushing off accusations of disloyalty, he declared, “I speak for myself. My words and reasoning are my own.”
Highlighting his long-standing ties with the PDP, Mr Sowunmi pointed out that the party often seeks alliances only after electoral defeats.
“The key difference with Tinubu is his adaptive approach. He doesn’t apply the same tactic to everyone. He’s considerably more astute than the rest. He outsmarts them, including Peter Obi,” he noted.
Addressing claims that he had abandoned Mr Atiku, Sowunmi clarified that Atiku is currently pursuing a coalition in which he plays no role.
“Is he even contesting at the moment? Everyone knows I’m not involved in the coalition efforts. Why assume I’ve surrendered my individuality?” he asked.
He revealed that Mr Tinubu invited him to his residence in the upscale Bourdillon area of Ikoyi, Lagos, during the Eid festivities.
Reflecting on the state of democracy in the country, he explained that he felt compelled to initiate dialogue with the president after observing worrying signs.
“I’ve grown uneasy with how some quickly dismiss policies without understanding the vision behind them. Political parties shouldn’t resort to blaming others after two decades of democratic practice,” he said.
Describing his meeting with the president as a fact-finding effort, he said, “I wanted to see for myself, especially with all the talk about his health. But I can tell you, the president is mentally sharp—he responded to every question without hesitation or reference to notes.”
Mr Sowunmi emphasised that his decision to engage with the president stemmed from a desire to assess the country’s direction.
“There are moments in a nation’s history when one must determine whether its leader is on the right path. From what I observed, Tinubu is exceptionally intelligent.”
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Despite the meeting, he affirmed he would not accept a role in Tinubu’s administration while remaining a member of the PDP.
He is not the first former Mr Atiku spokesman to meet with the president. In November 2024, Daniel Bwala, another former PDP spokesperson and once fierce critic of Mr Tinubu, was appointed Special Adviser on Policy Communication after a similar visit to the president.
