Segun Sowunmi, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has described former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi as his “greatest disappointment” ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sowunmi’s frustration stems from Obi’s perceived openness to the opposition coalition being championed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, aimed at uniting opposition forces to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Obi, who defected from the PDP to the Labour Party in 2022 and emerged as a formidable contender in the 2023 elections—garnering over six million votes and placing third—has remained a political force with strong youth support nationwide.
As the race towards 2027 begins, political heavyweights are exploring mergers to boost their electoral chances. Atiku, the PDP’s 2023 presidential candidate, is at the forefront of efforts to form a new coalition bloc.
According to insider reports, Atiku has proposed Peter Obi as his running mate for the coalition, with a succession promise attached. Despite his long-standing affiliation with the PDP, Atiku is reportedly considering a departure from the party to spearhead the new alliance.
Opposition leaders recently met to weigh their options—whether to form a new party or merge into an existing one. However, PDP governors have distanced themselves from the initiative, insisting that the coalition must be rooted within the party structure.
Sowunmi, a known ally of Atiku, has been vocal in his opposition to the move, describing the coalition effort as a “selfish adventure” designed to serve the ambitions of a select few.
In a bid to rescue the PDP, Sowunmi has urged the party leadership to woo Peter Obi back into its fold.
He also cautioned Obi not to allow himself to be used by opportunistic politicians seeking to ride on his popularity.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Sowunmi delivered a scathing assessment of Obi’s political choices.
“My greatest disappointment as we are getting ready for 2027 is actually Peter. The reason is that I had hoped in all of his seriousness that Peter will understand that we can move and challenge the status quo, not the way he’s been doing it all by himself. We could do that just to be able to take the outcome, even if it’s a defeat, we’ll say we gave it the best push, and we shattered the glass ceilings and united the country because there’s no glass ceiling on top of the South East. You made one effort and then the next thing you’re doing you started running up and down the street,” Sowunmi said.
He went further to reveal a private conversation he had with Obi, warning him to decide his political path by May 29 or risk losing support.
“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. And the simple reason is this, 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 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.”
Although Obi’s formal role in the Atiku-led coalition remains unclear, his attendance at several of the movement’s meetings has only deepened speculation about his next political move.
