A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Otunba Segun Showunmi, has issued a strongly worded rebuttal to a critic identified as Kio, dismissing what he described as “theatrics” and “empty boasting” in an open letter circulating online.
In the response titled “Re: Open Letter from Kio,” Showunmi rejected claims of impropriety over his recent engagement with President Bola Tinubu, insisting that his actions fall within his constitutional rights.
“Your letter is long on theatrics and short on restraint,” Showunmi wrote, adding that the critic’s intervention was laden with “sweeping claims” but lacking in substance.
He also dismissed any suggestion that Kio’s lineage confers authority to question his public conduct, noting that “no heritage, however distinguished, creates jurisdiction over Nigerian citizenship or political engagement.”
Showunmi defended his visit to the President, stating that it was a personal decision and not subject to external approval.
“My visit to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is entirely my prerogative. It falls squarely within my constitutional rights to association and political participation,” he said.
On his political alignment, the PDP chieftain maintained that his past support for Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 presidential election does not bind him indefinitely, stressing that democratic politics requires flexibility.
“I supported Atiku Abubakar under the PDP because I believed in that candidacy at the time. That support does not bind me in perpetuity,” he said, describing political decision-making as dynamic rather than rigid.
Showunmi further criticised his opponent’s commentary from abroad, noting that while geographical location does not invalidate opinions, it does not elevate them above scrutiny.
He also issued a warning over what he termed “speculative and unsupported” allegations relating to corporate dealings and individuals, including Seyi Tinubu, stating that such claims could attract legal consequences if repeated without evidence.
Addressing references to Lebanese-Nigerian businessman Gilbert Chagoury, Showunmi argued that historical allegations linked to the era of former Head of State Sani Abacha do not constitute proof of wrongdoing in the absence of legal conviction.
“Allegation is not conviction,” he said, emphasising that only courts of competent jurisdiction have the authority to determine guilt or liability.
He also dismissed threats of litigation from his critic, describing courts as “forums for evidence, not rhetorical intimidation,” and insisted that anyone making claims must be prepared to substantiate them under legal scrutiny.
While acknowledging the legacy of Kio’s father, Showunmi maintained that it does not validate the claims made in the letter, adding that legacy imposes a higher obligation for “discipline, clarity, and intellectual honesty.”
The PDP stalwart concluded by ruling out further exchanges on the matter, stating that he remains focused on his political ambitions.
“I have no interest in a back-and-forth. It is a waste of time. I have an election to plan,” he said.
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