Segun Sowunmi, a longtime ally of Atiku Abubakar, has publicly advised the former Vice President to reconsider his strategy of forming a new opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections, urging him instead to learn from President Bola Tinubu’s approach to political alliances.
Atiku has been spearheading efforts to unite opposition parties against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with a committee including former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi and ex-Cross River Governor Liyel Imoke exploring options to either create a new party or merge with an existing one. However, Sowunmi, who served as Atiku’s campaign spokesperson in the 2023 elections, strongly disagrees with this approach.
Speaking during an interview on TVC, the PDP chieftain argued that Atiku should focus on strengthening the PDP rather than seeking an alternative platform.
“I’ve always said to people, people love with their hearts. I love Atiku with my bones. But I can’t help him against himself. You can’t run vice presidency on PDP two times with Obasanjo, get presidential candidate on that same party two times. I don’t agree with him that the next best thing is to be shopping for…(a platform) If you want a coalition, why are you not coalescing them into your party?” Sowunmi questioned.
The former Ogun State PDP governorship candidate pointed to President Tinubu as an example of effective coalition-building without abandoning one’s political base.
“Look at your rival, your friend. You guys started together. At best, even if you want to say he’s building a coalition, is he not coalescing opponents into his place?” he added.
Sowunmi, who recently met with Tinubu, praised the President’s political skills, particularly his ability to make individuals feel valued across party lines.
“That guy (Tinubu) is something oh, he has this uncanny ability to make everybody individually feel special. It doesn’t matter whether you are a former foe or a president’s friend, every moment you share with him, I don’t know how he does it, though you’re going to leave the place feeling that you matter, feeling that he gets it, feeling that what you guys are talking about is important. And there’s something about him, when he gives you his word, he will say something like ‘ko le ye’, meaning that to the best of human ability, it will stand,” Sowunmi remarked.
When questioned about potential tensions with Atiku following his meeting with Tinubu, Sowunmi dismissed concerns about their relationship while criticizing some PDP members for what he called unnecessary speculation.
“I don’t know whether Atiku is upset or not upset, but I know a lot of our followers are talking a lot of nonsense, and I’m wondering how I became attached to Atiku when I’ve been in PDP since 1999 never leaving,” he responded.