I remain in PDP, no plans to join APC, says Atiku’s ally Sowunmi

Former spokesman to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Segun Sowunmi, has dismissed speculations suggesting that he is set to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Monday, Sowunmi clarified that his recent visit to President Bola Tinubu at his Lagos residence on June 8 was not politically motivated, contrary to the rumours circulating.

According to him, the meeting was a private engagement and should not be misinterpreted as a signal of political realignment. He stressed that despite the speculation, he remains firmly rooted in the PDP and committed to its vision and values.

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“If I wanted to decamp to the APC, I would have done that, but not at this time. I’m still a member of the PDP,” he said.

Sowunmi explained that his handshake with Tinubu, whom he has known since 1994, was wrongly interpreted by some Nigerians as a sign of defection.

“It was actually a little confusing because after that handshake with the president, a number of people thought I was switching sides. Nigerians are funny people. I’ve been standing at this party since 1998.

“I have one handshake, one visit to the president, whom I’ve known for decades, and you think I’m going to just leave my party? No, it doesn’t work that way,” he said.

The Ogun-born politician, who was a governorship aspirant in the 2023 PDP primaries, noted that after nearly three decades of Nigeria’s democratic journey, the focus should shift from party rivalry to building consensus on national development.

“After about 27 years in democracy, and I have been very active, it gets to a point where you start asking the question: is this democracy even working? Why are the people unhappy? Beyond all the criticism, can we just start agreeing on some things? Otherwise, they should start leaving us behind,” he said.

Sowunmi disclosed that his discussion with the president revolved around four key issues, including insecurity in the North, the economic hardship resulting from recent government policies, and political developments in Rivers State.

“I was concerned about Rivers, and he explained some things which made sense. I was concerned about insecurity in the North people were just dying and he had something to say about it. I told him I had seen where he’s going with the policies, but was worried about the knock-on effect on the people,” he added.

Recall that Sowunmi had disclosed that he would defect from the PDP to the APC before supporting Tinubu.

Featuring on Arise Television’s Prime Time on June 10, Sowunmi said there is a strong possibility that he might leave the PDP.

Sowunmi’s meeting with Tinubu stirred reactions within political circles and on social media, with many interpreting it as a precursor to his defection from the PDP.

The meeting came at a time when defections had reshaped alignments in the opposition, following the ruling APC’s consolidation of power after the 2023 general elections.