A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, has declared that President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is smarter than his political rivals, including Labour Party’s Peter Obi.
Sowunmi, who served as the spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, made this assertion during an appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme on Monday. His recent meeting with President Tinubu has sparked reactions, with many Nigerians accusing him of betraying Atiku.
However, Sowunmi dismissed the criticism, insisting that his political choices are personal and independent.
“I am at liberty as an adult to take decisions,” he said. “I am not tied to anybody. I am not anti-Tinubu.”
Sowunmi, a longtime critic of the President, stated: “I own my mouth, I own my words, and I own my arguments.”
Addressing his loyalty to the PDP, he said, “I’ve been in this party forever. The only time we go to them (the APC) is after they’ve lost and we need to shore them up. Do you know the difference between Bola and them? He doesn’t have one approach to dealing with everybody. By miles, he is smarter than them. He is smarter than Peter Obi. He is smarter than them.”
On allegations of betrayal, Sowunmi clarified that Atiku is currently focused on building a coalition that he is not part of. “Is he (Atiku) running for president now? He’s running a coalition that everybody knows I am not part of. Why would anyone think I don’t have my individuality?”
Sowunmi revealed that President Tinubu invited him to his Bourdillon residence in Ikoyi during the Eid celebrations. He said the meeting was timely, considering Tinubu has spent two years in office.
“It’s not a bad time to have a conversation with the President,” he said.
Sowunmi explained that he was concerned about the state of Nigeria’s democracy and felt some opposition figures were unfairly demonising government policies.
“I began to be uncomfortable with the demonising of all policies by those who don’t understand what it takes to design futuristic ideas. I decided to engage him since people talk about his frailty. So, I jumped on that investigation.”
He said he was impressed by Tinubu’s mental capacity during their conversation.
“His brain is very alert. He is fit. You know when you’re asking someone questions and he’s answering without looking at the book,” Sowunmi said. “I just believe there comes a time in the life of a nation where you must try to be sure whether the direction a leader is going is the right one, or at least the intended one. And I guarantee you, he is smart above average.”
Despite the meeting and his new stance, Sowunmi said he would not accept an appointment from President Tinubu while still a member of the PDP.
His meeting follows a similar move by another former Atiku spokesperson, Daniel Bwala, who was appointed Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Policy Communication in November 2024 after meeting with the President.
