PDP’s Segun Sowunmi Says Tinubu Smarter Than Opponents, Defends Meeting With President

Lagos, Nigeria – Prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Segun Sowunmi, has stirred political debate by declaring that President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is intellectually ahead of his political counterparts, including Labour Party’s Peter Obi. The former spokesman to PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, made this bold claim during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday.

Sowunmi, known for his previous criticism of Tinubu, sought to clarify that his recent meeting with the president does not represent a political betrayal of the PDP or Atiku Abubakar. He described the engagement as a personal decision taken in the spirit of national dialogue, asserting his independence and right to association.

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Sowunmi: “Tinubu Is Smarter Than Them”

In a shift from his earlier stance, Sowunmi lauded President Tinubu’s leadership and mental acuity. He emphasized that Tinubu’s flexible and strategic political approach places him ahead of his peers.

“By miles, he (Tinubu) is smarter than them. He is smarter than Peter Obi, he is smarter than them,” Sowunmi boldly stated, referencing leading opposition figures. According to him, Tinubu’s strength lies in his ability to adapt his strategies based on individual engagements—an edge he claims other political leaders lack.

The PDP stalwart added, “Do you know the difference between Bola and them? He doesn’t have one approach to dealing with everybody.” He acknowledged that his praise for the president would provoke scrutiny but defended it as an honest reflection of his recent impressions.

Defending His Loyalty: “I Am Not Anti-Atiku”

Sowunmi’s meeting with Tinubu, held at the president’s Bourdillon residence in Lagos during the Eid holidays, has been criticized by party loyalists and observers as a betrayal of the opposition cause. However, Sowunmi pushed back, stating he is not beholden to any political figure.

“I am at liberty as an adult to take decisions. I am not tied to anybody. I am not anti-Tinubu,” he said. While denying he had abandoned Atiku, Sowunmi clarified that he is not involved in Atiku’s current political coalition. “Is he (Atiku) running for president now? He’s running a coalition that everybody knows I am not part of.”

He insisted that he has always been a core member of the PDP but that political maturity requires an open mind and constructive engagement across divides. “I own my mouth, I own my words, and I own my arguments,” he stressed.

On Tinubu’s Leadership: “His Brain Is Very Alert”

One of the key highlights of the interview was Sowunmi’s firsthand assessment of Tinubu’s cognitive and leadership capabilities. In light of public concerns over the president’s health, Sowunmi said his interaction with Tinubu left him convinced of the president’s sharp mental state.

“His brain is very alert, he is fit,” Sowunmi remarked. “You know when you are asking someone questions and he is answering without looking at the book.” He explained that he initiated the meeting to verify for himself whether Tinubu was effectively steering the nation’s affairs and came away impressed.

He added, “I just believe that 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 direction… and I guarantee you, he is smart — above average.”

No Plans to Join APC, No Appointment Will Be Accepted

Despite his praise for Tinubu, Sowunmi firmly dismissed any intentions of joining the APC or accepting a political appointment under the current administration while still a PDP member. “I won’t accept Tinubu’s appointment whilst a PDP member,” he affirmed.

This position draws a distinction between him and other former Atiku allies, such as Daniel Bwala, who also had a meeting with President Tinubu and later accepted an appointment as Special Adviser on Policy Communication in November 2024.

Sowunmi’s statement highlights the delicate balance being navigated by some opposition politicians who, while recognizing merit in Tinubu’s leadership, are reluctant to fully switch political allegiance—at least not publicly.

Political Landscape Shifting as Dialogue Across Party Lines Increases

The increasing frequency of engagements between opposition figures and President Tinubu is reshaping the narrative around Nigeria’s political discourse. For Sowunmi, his visit was about understanding governance at close quarters and assessing the president’s vision without partisan bias.

“I was concerned that this democracy was faltering… I began to be a little bit uncomfortable with the demonising of all policies by those who don’t understand what it takes to design futuristic ideas,” he explained.

Sowunmi’s comments come amid a season of political recalibrations as Nigeria inches closer to the next general election cycle. His bold remarks are likely to provoke both support and criticism, but they underscore a growing trend of pragmatic engagement over partisan dogma.