Atiku Abubakar’s former spokesperson, Segun Sowunmi, has revealed that he has discussed the possibility of running in the 2027 elections.
However, former Ogun State gubernatorial candidate Sowunmi said Atiku was yet to give a clear answer.
Mr Sowunmi made the revelation on Monday in Abuja at the launch of the National Opposition Movement Coalition, a platform dedicated to strengthening opposition politics and promoting credible democracy and electoral processes in the run-up to the 2027 elections. I did it.
According to Sowunmi, the decision to contest the presidential election should not focus only on Atiku, but rather on an individual with a clear vision for Nigeria’s development.
“Who would have imagined that given Tinubu’s history and background, he would be in the villa today? This shows that leadership transcends the individual,” Sowunmi said.
“Atiku hasn’t told me he’s running. I asked him twice and I’ll ask him again. If he doesn’t answer, that’s it.”
Reflecting on the 2023 elections, Sowunmi spoke of his efforts to convince former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to run for the presidency under the PDP.
“I traveled throughout the South-East and addressed PDP members in the region, including His Excellency Peter Obi. I visited him no less than five times and encouraged him to purchase nomination forms to gauge the support of Nigerians. ” he said.
Although Mr Obi eventually joined the Labor Party without informing him, Mr Sowunmi praised the former governor for bringing the aspirations of the south-east into the national conversation. But he stressed that leadership requires more than rhetoric and urged candidates to be supported based on their ability to deliver concrete results.
Sowunmi explained that the National Coalition of Opposition Movements was born out of the urgent need to protect Nigeria’s democracy amidst growing concerns about Nigeria’s electoral and governance system.
He criticized the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for failing to ensure the integrity of elections despite improving its guidelines and operating manual.
He also expressed concern about the declining credibility of the judiciary, saying the judiciary is critical to maintaining balance and preventing government overreach.
