Segun Sowunmi Reaffirms Loyalty to PDP, Addresses Speculation Around Political Allegiances in Nigerian Politics
The shape of Nigeria’s political landscape remains fluid, with whispers, alliances, and sudden defections frequently rewriting the script. Amidst this uncertainty, Segun Sowunmi—a former spokesperson to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar—has publicly clarified his unwavering commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dispelling ongoing rumours of a possible defection to the rival All Progressives Congress (APC).
Clearing the Air: “I’m Still With the PDP”
In a recent interview aired on Channels Television, Sowunmi addressed speculations head-on. According to him, his political home remains firmly with the PDP, a party he says he has served faithfully for over two decades. “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,” Sowunmi stated categorically on national television.
He further explained that loyalty in Nigerian politics isn’t easily swayed by mere encounters, even with political powerbrokers. As Sowunmi put it, “Nigerians are very funny people. I have been standing with this party since 1998. I had one handshake with the president, whom I have known since 1994, and you think I would leave my party for that? It doesn’t work that way.”
Decades of Party Loyalty and Reflections on Democracy
For many in his position, switching parties is often seen as a strategy for career advancement or influence, but Sowunmi insists his commitment runs deeper. He points to the journey since 1998—years marked by Nigeria’s post-military experiment with democracy—and urges a collective conversation about the country’s progress and challenges.
“You must understand that after about 26 years in democracy, it gets to a point where you will start asking questions: is this democracy really working? Why are the people unhappy? Can we begin to build consensus around development? Otherwise, nations are leaving us behind,” he said, emphasizing the need for introspection among Nigeria’s political elite and broader society.
PDP and the South-East: The Peter Obi Debate
The issue of regional representation remains a sensitive topic within the PDP, especially regarding the South-East. Among the most notable subplots is the political trajectory of Peter Obi, former PDP member and recent presidential candidate who ultimately contested under the Labour Party banner.
Sowunmi revealed in a separate interview on Nigeria Info FM 99.3 that he had personally encouraged Obi to consider returning to the PDP, citing what he described as an unfulfilled “debt” the party owed the South-East in terms of presidential candidacy. According to Sowunmi, “Peter is someone who doesn’t listen, I told him more than three, four months ago that Peter the time now is to return because the PDP owes the South-East a debt.”
He elaborated further: “The PDP owes the South-East a debt based on the fact that they have given every other tribe the ticket except the Igbos and you have demonstrated capacity.”
Primary Elections and Internal Party Democracy
One of Sowunmi’s core criticisms of Obi’s tactics was his approach to party primaries. According to Sowunmi, real leadership must be earned through transparent processes. “The only thing there is that Peter thinks he’s too clever, he never wants to do primaries. Anybody that doesn’t want to do primaries is looking for somebody to cheat on his behalf,” he alleged.
He continued: “Primaries is the internal democracy of parties, it’s only when you cross the hurdles of primaries that you can now be looking at the general election.” According to Sowunmi, evidenced by the PDP’s own NEC meeting in Abuja—which zoned its presidential ticket to the South—internal politics matter as much as national contests.
Labour Party Performance and Broader Implications
Reflecting on Peter Obi’s leadership and performance following his move to the Labour Party, Sowunmi noted challenges in party management and the broader implications for national leadership aspirations. He remarked, “But unfortunately, when they gave him a platform to manage like Labour, he could not manage it. Nigeria cannot be waiting for Peter, if Peter can’t be President as an Igbo person, one day we will find an Igbo person.”
Perspectives from Local Analysts and Members
Political analysts in Nigeria have noted that statements like Sowunmi’s highlight both the strengths and internal frictions within the PDP. A Lagos-based analyst, Chinedu Okeke, told our correspondent: “These disputes are not just about individuals but about longstanding issues of fairness, credibility, and rotational power-sharing that define Nigerian politics.”
Many PDP loyalists—particularly from the South-East—continue to express hope for genuine inclusion. As Enugu resident Ngozi Arinze shared, “I believe that the South-East’s turn will come, but it must be through fair processes, not shortcuts. If primaries are free and fair, our candidates will shine.”
Broader Regional and West African Resonance
Questions of party loyalty, regional equity, and democratic processes are familiar across West Africa. Observers in Ghana and beyond watch Nigeria’s political dynamics closely, knowing that what happens in Africa’s largest democracy influences political thinking throughout the sub-region.
According to policy analyst Nana Mensah in Accra, “Nigeria’s example matters. When Nigerians insist on primaries, on respecting zones, it sets a benchmark for internal democracy that other African parties may follow.”
Looking Forward: What’s at Stake for PDP and Nigerian Democracy?
With Nigeria set to approach another round of electoral contests, the PDP faces both an internal reckoning and an opportunity. Can it reconcile demands from different regions—with the South-East consistently asking for full inclusion—while projecting unity and winning back public trust?
As Segun Sowunmi’s statements underline, the next chapter in the PDP’s journey may depend as much on transparency in selection processes as on personalities and negotiations behind closed doors. For Nigerian voters, questions remain: Can internal democracy truly take root in political parties? Will longstanding debts to the South-East be addressed in ways that strengthen, rather than fracture, Nigeria’s fragile unity?
Conclusion: What’s Your Take?
These debates—about loyalty, fairness, and the future of democracy—are crucial for Nigeria and all of West Africa. As party insiders and the public continue to demand higher standards, the real test lies not just in what politicians claim, but how their parties live up to the ideals of inclusion, debate, and fair contest.
What’s your view on Segun Sowunmi’s statements and the ongoing struggle for internal democracy in Nigerian political parties? Should regional debts be a factor in party nominations, or is it time for parties to adopt more merit-based systems?
Share your opinion, tell us how these national debates affect your community, or drop your thoughts on the future of Nigerian and West African democracy!
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