Former gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Segun Sowunmi, has described President Bola Tinubu as a genuine politician.

During an interview on TVC on Tuesday, January 14, 2025, Sowunmi pointed out the unique challenges Tinubu’s leadership has on opposition politics.

He said, “President Bola Tinubu is the first real politician that has won an election and is president. President Obasanjo couldn’t call himself a politician; he was a soldier. President Buhari couldn’t call himself a politician; he’s a soldier. Jonathan really couldn’t call himself a politician, like that we just came in over the misery of others.

Sowunmi urged opposition parties to restrategise in order to effectively engage Tinubu, emphasizing the need for quality minds to ensure accountability in his administration.

“But Bola Tinubu is a politician. So if we’re to engage him, and if we’re to ensure that he doesn’t run away with the jar, the cookie pot, and the cookie itself, we must have a way to bring quality minds to think about this democracy vis-a-vis how opposition plays.”

Regarding his visit to the National Secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), with former Kaduna State governor Mallam Nasir El-Rufai and others, Sowunmi mentioned that such gatherings often indicate significant political movements, especially as preparations for the 2027 elections begin.

“So what happened with the SDP visitation with my friend, the chairman of the party, His Excellency Shehu Gabam, is that he, being a long-time politician like me—we’ve been in PDP together—came up with such an ingenious idea at the beginning of the year.

“It was a brilliant thought from him, and that’s why you need intelligent minds leading a party. He figured, ‘Look, it’s the start of the year; why not invite some passionate Nigerians who care about the country’s progress, and let’s banter, greet each other, and see where the discussion leads?’

“And that’s exactly what happened. What can be expected from it? When politicians start greeting each other, something is definitely in the offing.”

Sowunmi expressed worry about the lack of stability in opposition parties like the NNPP, Labour Party, and PDP, as well as the complacency within the APC.