Tinubu Smarter Than His Opponents, I Didn’t Betray Atiku, Says Sowunmi

A CHIEFTAIN of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, known to be a staunch supporter of former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, has defended his recent visit President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at his Lagos residence during the Sallah celebration, saying he has not betrayed Atiku by his action.
Speaking on Channels TV following criticism of his visit, Sowunmi, a former spokesman for Atiku’s 2023 presidential campaign, insisted that his recent meeting with Tinubu does not translate to a betrayal of his affiliation with Atiku, noting: “I am at liberty as an adult to take decisions.
“I am not tied to anybody; I am not anti-Tinubu. I own my mouth, I own my words, and I own my arguments.
“I’ve been in this party forever. The only time we go to them 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 (Tinubu) is smarter than them. He is smarter than Peter Obi, he is smarter than them.”
He reiterated that he has not, by visiting Tinubu, betrayed Atiku, adding: “Is he (Atiku) running for president now? He’s running a coalition that everybody knows I am not part of.
“Why would even in your wildest dream think I don’t have my individuality, because of what? Do you know how long I have been in the party?”
Sowunmi said the President invited him to his Bourdillon residence in Ikoyi area of the Lagos State during the Eid celebrations, and having been in office for two years, “it’s not a bad time to have a conversation with the President.
“I was concerned that this democracy was faltering and I don’t think it was his fault. I do not understand after about 24 years, political parties would just suddenly assume that they have an escape route of blaming others for their woes. I didn’t like that.
“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 that could work.
“I decided to engage him, since people talk about his frailty, so I jumped on that investigation. His brain is very alert, he is fit. You know when you are asking someone questions and he is answering without looking at the book.
“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 or at least whether it is the intended direction, and I guarantee you, he is smart, above average.”
Unlike another former PDP member and a spokesman of the Atiku presidential campaign in 2023, Daniel Bwala, also critical of Tinubu and his administration, who was appointed Special Adviser to the President on Policy Communication after visiting/meeting and taking photographs with the President, Sowunmi said he won’t accept Tinubu’s appointment as a PDP member.