Otunba Segun Sowunmi, a prominent member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has defended former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s right to run for president again, dismissing criticism over his repeated attempts.
Atiku, who has contested for the presidency six times—losing twice to All Progressives Congress candidates in 2019 and 2023—remains a central figure in discussions leading up to the 2027 general election.
In a recent interview, Sowunmi argued that the ongoing debate over Atiku’s ambition is misplaced, emphasizing that the Nigerian Constitution grants all eligible citizens the right to seek any political office. He expressed concern that more energy is being spent on discrediting Atiku than on formulating strategies to defeat the ruling party.
“Rather than focusing on how to win elections, some people are fixated on bullying a man who simply cannot be bullied,” Sowunmi said, adding that such pressure only strengthens Atiku’s resolve.
He also noted that while political parties are free to zone their presidential tickets, no law bars Atiku from running. According to Sowunmi, electoral participation is a constitutional right that should not be denied based on previous losses.
Highlighting Atiku’s long political journey—from his first presidential bid in 1992 under the Social Democratic Party to his most recent run with the PDP—Sowunmi maintained that each campaign was a valid expression of democratic rights. He urged Nigerians to focus on winning elections rather than trying to limit who can contest them.