Segun Sowunmi, a former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 presidential campaign, has said that President Bola Tinubu stands out among Nigerian politicians, stating that he is “smarter” than his major political opponents, including Peter Obi and Atiku himself.
Sowunmi made this statement while speaking during an interview on Politics Today, a political programme aired on Channels Television on Monday. His comments came after recent public reactions to his visit to President Tinubu, which some saw as a shift in loyalty from his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Responding to those concerns, Sowunmi made it clear that he is politically independent. He stated that while he once supported Atiku, he does not feel obligated to stick to one political camp. “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,” he said.
When asked whether he informed Atiku before visiting Tinubu, he replied that he didn’t need to, as he acts on his own principles. He also explained that his meeting with the president was not a betrayal but a personal decision to engage in a meaningful conversation with someone he has known for decades.
Speaking further, Sowunmi noted that Tinubu’s style of leadership sets him apart from other top political figures. “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,” Sowunmi said.
When pressed on whether he believed Tinubu was smarter than Atiku, he responded without hesitation: “He’s smarter than them.”
According to Sowunmi, his relationship with Tinubu goes back to 1994. He added that his visit to the president was partly to gain insight into why opposition parties constantly blame Tinubu’s administration for their internal issues.
