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Segun Sowunmi, a notable chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), recently declared that the opposition party holds a distinct advantage in terms of political maturity, particularly when it comes to managing the intricacies of governance.
He pointed to the APC’s track record, highlighting the contrast in leadership styles and emphasizing that the PDP’s approach has proven to be far more composed and capable in the face of national governance challenges.
Segun Sowunmi, speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Wednesday, disagreed with the widely held view that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been ineffective as the opposition party. He contended that such criticisms were misplaced, underscoring the party’s efforts in contributing to national discourse and offering robust counterpoints to the ruling party’s policies.
Sowunmi voiced strong disapproval of the tactics employed by the All Progressives Congress (APC) when they were in opposition, noting that such methods were not in the best interest of Nigeria. He clarified that while the PDP plays the role of opposition, it is committed to doing so without resorting to the kind of political maneuvers that could damage the country’s global standing.
“Do you think that nonsense they (APC) were doing, calling people into the streets every day, shaming the country, running up and down the place demarketing the country, refusing Jonathan to buy arms to fight insecurity is how to run a country?
“We (PDP) are far more mature than them because we understand what it means to protect the territorial integrity and the brand equity of Nigeria, that is why we don’t go out of the way to go and demarket the country like they were doing,” Sowunmi said.
Sowunmi explained that the true nature of opposition politics is defined by presenting a credible alternative to the policies set forth by the ruling party, which the PDP actively engages in. He argued that playing opposition does not mean fabricating lies about the nation or inciting chaos, but rather challenging the status quo with honesty and presenting a better path forward for the country.
While the PDP is currently embroiled in a leadership crisis, Sowunmi, one of the individuals vying for the party’s national chairmanship, remains steadfast in his belief that the party will not succumb to its challenges. He confidently stated that the PDP, despite its struggles, will continue to survive and flourish.
“PDP is this PDP is that; who killed it? A party that did not die when Obasanjo tore his card, a party that did not die when Jonathan stood down, a party that did not die all these years is going to die, PDP dieth not,” Sowunmi exclaimed.
The influential opposition figure further placed blame on President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of exacerbating the PDP’s challenges. He pointed out that the President’s decision to appoint Nyesom Wike, a member of the PDP, as a minister was both unnecessary and damaging to the party, suggesting that such a move was a betrayal of the PDP’s interests.
“PDP would like to say Wike is the problem, but I would rather say President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. He has no business appointing our member into his cabinet without talking to us,” he said.
He drew a comparison between the leadership style of President Olusegun Obasanjo and that of President Bola Tinubu, highlighting that Obasanjo had made a concerted effort to reach out and consult broadly when attempting to establish a government of national unity. In his view, Tinubu’s lack of such consultations has contributed significantly to the current fragmentation within the opposition.
