A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Ogun State governorship aspirant, Segun Sowunmi, has commented on the political trajectory of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, outlining what he described as key decisions affecting opposition politics in Nigeria.
Sowunmi made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television on Friday, May 1, 2026, where he discussed Atiku’s role within the opposition and the broader political landscape.
He stated that Atiku’s current positioning reflects his intention to challenge for leadership, while also pointing to structural issues within opposition ranks. “Well, you see, I mean, he has to frame it that way because he wants to challenge him. But he has to know the problem opposition has in the country is him,” he said.
Sowunmi referenced the political legacy of the late Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, suggesting that a different strategic path could have shaped Atiku’s role within the opposition. “If he had been a little bit stricter, and he had gone and taken the idea of Shehu Musa Yar’Adua and imagine that as the successor of that framework, it was his duty to be in opposition,” he stated.
He further outlined what he believed could have been an alternative approach to party alignment and political consistency. “In the first instance, he wouldn’t jump the match. Then when he jumped, he would stay. And when he finally got to the point where he can’t jump no more, he would create his own. And even if he does not become president, that would be a legacy he can pass on,” Sowunmi said.
Sowunmi also described what he sees as ongoing political struggles involving Atiku within his current political engagements. “But what has he done? He’s in a party now, struggling ticket with people that are supposed to be in my own age group. I should be struggling presidency with those one not him. And then he’s struggling the presidency in a calm way,” he stated.
He criticized what he described as the treatment of Atiku by some political actors, questioning their actions and remarks. “And there’s some small jokers that are just shouting, screaming, they are bullying him. For what? Do you know what it takes to be Atiku? Do you know how many election scars he has? Do you know what it costs?” Sowunmi added.
