Sowunmi Rejects Betrayal Claims, Hails Tinubu’s Political Acumen Over Atiku

 Segun Sowunmi, a prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 campaign, stirred controversy on June 9, 2025, by dismissing accusations of betraying Atiku and lauding President Bola Tinubu’s intellectual edge over political rivals, including Labour Party’s Peter Obi.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Sowunmi defended his recent meeting with Tinubu at the president’s Lagos home during Eid-el-Kabir, asserting his independence within the PDP. His remarks, describing Tinubu as “smarter by miles,” have deepened fissures in the PDP, as Sowunmi advocated for reforms to challenge the APC in 2027, including re-integrating Peter Obi.

Sowunmi, a vocal critic of PDP’s internal crises, emphasized his autonomy, stating, “I own my mouth, I own my arguments,” rejecting claims of disloyalty to Atiku, who is spearheading coalition talks against Tinubu. He praised Tinubu’s strategic versatility, contrasting it with Atiku’s coalition-building, which he noted excludes him.

The meeting, attended by PDP figures like Daniel Bamu, followed Sowunmi’s call for a South-West PDP chairman to counter Tinubu’s Yoruba influence. Critics within the PDP, including Atiku’s aides, accused Sowunmi of opportunism, while supporters hailed his candor. Sowunmi ruled out accepting a Tinubu appointment, reaffirming his PDP loyalty, but urged the party to address defections and leadership disputes. His comments, aired widely, underscore Nigeria’s polarized political landscape, as the PDP grapples with unity ahead of 2027.