Segun Sowunmi, a senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has surprised many by saying that President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) is smarter than his political rivals, including Peter Obi from the Labour Party.

Sowunmi, who used to be the spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar during the 2023 elections, spoke on a TV show called Politics Today. He explained why he met with President Tinubu recently. He said meeting Tinubu did not mean he was being disloyal to Atiku or the PDP. He also said he thinks and makes decisions for himself.

He said, “I can make my own choices as an adult. No one controls me. I am not against Tinubu.”

Some people said he had changed sides or betrayed Atiku, but Sowunmi denied this. He said he stands by what he says and has always supported the PDP. He also said that President Tinubu is very smart and clever in his politics.

He said, “What makes Bola different is that he does not treat everyone the same way. He is much smarter than the others, including Peter Obi.”

When asked if he had changed his loyalty, Sowunmi said Atiku is working on a political coalition without him. He asked, “Is Atiku running for president now? No. He is working on a coalition that I am not part of. Why would you think I don’t have my own mind?”

Sowunmi said he met Tinubu at the president’s house in Lagos during the Eid celebrations. He said the meeting was a good chance to talk after Tinubu had been president for two years.

He also said he was worried about Nigeria’s democracy and didn’t think it was Tinubu’s fault when some people criticized government plans. He felt uncomfortable with how some people rejected ideas they did not understand.

Sowunmi praised Tinubu’s mind, saying, “He is very alert and fit. You can tell when someone answers questions without reading notes.”

Even though he praised Tinubu, Sowunmi said he will not take any government job while he remains a PDP member.

This is similar to what happened in November 2024, when another former Atiku spokesperson, Daniel Bwala, met Tinubu and later became a special adviser.