By Faith Adama
Segun Sowunmi, a key figure in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former spokesman for Atiku Abubakar’s 2019 presidential campaign, has weighed in on the party’s internal crisis, particularly regarding Nyesom Wike’s controversial ministerial role in the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.
Sowunmi, speaking on Nigeria Info FM, stated that if he were the PDP National Chairman, he would have taken decisive action by freezing Wike’s membership for accepting a ministerial appointment under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“If I were the National Chairman and Wike informed me that the APC had invited him to join their government, I would have immediately frozen his membership.
“This approach is similar to a university sabbatical system—suspending membership until his return.
“During this period, Wike would not participate in PDP activities, either in Rivers State or at the national level, nor attend party meetings,” Sowunmi said.
He further criticized the party’s leadership for allowing Wike to serve in an APC cabinet while maintaining influence within the PDP, describing the situation as “unacceptable and a threat to the party’s integrity.”
On the broader internal discord, Sowunmi expressed dissatisfaction with some Atiku Abubakar loyalists who have described the PDP as “dead.”
He argued that stronger leadership was necessary to manage such rhetoric.
“If I were National Chairman, I’d confront Atiku directly, demanding he rein in his supporters and clarify his position. The Acting Chairman, Damagum, cannot be in office while others are declaring the party’s demise. That kind of indiscipline cannot be tolerated.”
Sowunmi’s remarks highlight the challenges facing the PDP as it struggles with leadership, internal dissent, and efforts to maintain a unified front amidst mounting political pressures.
