Sowunmi to Obi: Don’t Waste Chance to Lead Igbo and National Opposition

In a recent interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Segun Sowunmi, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former spokesman to Atiku Abubakar, voiced strong disappointment over Peter Obi’s political strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.

Citing Obi’s missed opportunities, Sowunmi criticised the former Labour Party presidential candidate for failing to leverage his broad support base to build a unified opposition coalition. He argued that Obi’s approach appears more focused on personal ambition than creating a cohesive national movement to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“Obi had a real chance to lead an inclusive, pan-Nigerian alliance,” Sowunmi said. “But what we see now looks disconnected and self-serving.”

Sowunmi maintained that any serious attempt to unseat the APC must revolve around the PDP, given its established nationwide structure and experience. He pointed out that Obi, who pulled in over six million votes in the 2023 election, could have played a central role in such a movement.

Reflecting on an earlier discussion with Obi, Sowunmi recalled issuing a clear warning about the risks of indecision. “I told him many months before that if your mind is not made up by May 29 this year on what you want to do, I’m going to be more inclined to support Asiwaju,” he stated.

He continued, “I told him, Peter, the benefits that we have done now by integrating you as someone that can be leader of the Igbo political force, and in a pan-Nigerian environment, I do not think [you should] throw it away. But it’s your call, if you want to do that all this coalition this, coalition that. I’m thinking that you’re bringing a new order.”

Obi, who left the PDP in 2022 to run under the Labour Party, has enjoyed widespread support—particularly among younger Nigerians. However, Sowunmi’s remarks highlight growing concerns among opposition figures that his go-it-alone strategy may ultimately weaken the broader effort to unseat the APC in 2027.