Atiku’s Ally Segun Sowunmi Denies Defection Rumours, Reaffirms Loyalty to PDP

Segun Sowunmi, a former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign, has dismissed speculations that he has defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sowunmi, a long-standing member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), insisted that he remains firmly in the opposition party despite recent controversies surrounding his political stance.

In recent weeks, Sowunmi’s meeting with President Bola Tinubu sparked rumours of defection, with critics accusing him of betraying Atiku.

However, he clarified that the visit was not a political alignment but a routine engagement, stressing that he retains the right to interact with leaders across party lines.

“I have been in PDP for nearly three decades. If I ever decide to leave, I will do so openly. For now, I remain in the PDP,” he said.

The PDP chieftain further distanced himself from ongoing coalition talks spearheaded by Atiku ahead of the 2027 elections.

According to him, he is not involved in the alliance discussions and will not allow himself to be tied to any individual’s political calculations. “I am not a political captive. I am not tied to anybody. I own my words and my choices,” he maintained.

While Sowunmi acknowledged that conditions within the PDP could one day force him to reconsider his membership, he emphasised that such a decision would be taken transparently and not through backdoor arrangements.

“If I ever decide to support Tinubu or anyone outside the PDP, I will formally declare it. But for now, I remain a loyal member of my party,” he reiterated.

His remarks come at a time when the PDP is grappling with internal divisions and questions about its capacity to provide a strong opposition ahead of 2027.

Sowunmi’s clarification may calm some anxieties within the party, but it also underscores the growing uncertainty over loyalty and cohesion among its prominent members.