NewStats: 3,262,166 , 8,176,293 topics. Date: Sunday, 01 June 2025 at 05:52 AM 105i6d

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Otunba Segun Sowunmi, has maintained that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has the right to run for president regardless of the narrative about the number of times he has contested.

Atiku has twice contested on the PDP platform and lost to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates, Muhammadu Buhari in 2019 and Bola Tinubu in 2023.

However, as politicians begin preparations for the 2027 presidential election, conversations have been had about Atiku’s presidential ambitions.

Having lost twice to the APC in his six attempts, the 78-year-old politician’s critics have asked him to step aside so that younger candidates can represent the party as presidential candidates.

But Sowunmi, in an interview with Vanguard, disagreed with this notion, saying people spend too much time on a matter that’s supposed to be a personal decision and a right granted by the constitution.

He said that instead of talking about how to wrest power from the ruling party, Nigerians spend too much time bullying Atiku.

Sowunmi stressed that the former Vice president can not be bullied, adding the more resolute he becomes.

He said, “The first thing people must understand is that a lot of suggestions, persuasion, argument, pressure, and bullies come into play in politics, but whether any human being will contest any election is purely the rights granted to them by the constitution and according to the platforms of the party.

“So what I find a little bit curious is that instead of people to talk about how they win the or even how they’re going to win the general election they have devoted too much time into trying to bully a man that cannot be bullied. I know very well if anybody tries to bully him, you basically does only to make him more resolute in his position.”

He further argued that the PDP and other political parties have the freedom to zone their presidential candidates in accordance with Nigeria and the parties’ constitutions, adding that the law permits Atiku to contest.

“What law would you use to prevent somebody from contesting an election when we have even created laws to say anybody who wants to contest is free to contest,” he queried.

Recounting Atiku’s several attempts at presidency, Sowunmi argued that political aspirants should not be denied the right the constitution has granted them, irrespective of how many times they have tried to contest for a position.

He said, “He has contested primary tickets in parties before that he didn’t win, and he has also contested primary tickets in parties that he has won. He contested in 1992, he didn’t get the ticket at that time in SDP. In 2007, he won under he won the ticket under AC, or ACN I can’t . In 2011, he tried to do it under the PDP, he didn’t really get the ticket. In 2015, he contested under the APC, he didn’t get the ticket. So, what I’m trying to say in essence is that, don’t let us put too much energy on depriving people of their rights.”

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/05/atiku-cannot-be-bullied-to-surrender-his-presidential-ambition-sowunmi/

His time has gone, we didn't see anything he did to get this democracy. He was a coward during Abacha's regime, did nothing to fight for democracy Abacha has used your time go and look after your children. Benue killing not a single word from him.

If he’s not ready to respect himself and not contest then I guess he has to be bullied! Haba! Is he the only one? Let him make way for others to contest too nau!
He has tried his best every election cycle and he fails woefully every time, moreover it’s the south turn of 8yrs. North should lowkey wait their turn and stop incit!ng what’s not 😏.

Atiku should go and rest. His time has gone.

Atiku should take a sit jare ! Is he the only one to contest pdp presidential tickets every election cycle ? Is it because he he has amassed stolen money over the years ? This time , he will not only be bullied , he will be sent packing permanently to Dubai...😄😄😄😄

I want Atiku to keep contesting 😊😊😊


The serial failure will learn the hard way.....

He was smart the last time.... Took Okowa as his vice and have him spend his state's money to become a vice president.....😂😂😂

I'm wondering who will do the spending this time around for him to become a president in his wildest dream......

Bullied or not. ATIKU, kwankwaso, OBI and El RUFAI must all contest for president in 2027 they like it or not

Pdp's palava

Sowunmi is working for Tinubu

Ok

Mumu Sowunmi always trying to show himself

Nobody is bullying Atiku.

Honorary Developer of Dubai.

Keep Trying and failing

Until U finish all d money U stole

Hmmmm

What.?

ancestor nor wan gree REST

slimfit1:
His time has gone, we didn't see anything he did to get this democracy. He was a coward during Abacha's regime, did nothing to fight for democracy Abacha has used your time go and look after your children. Benue killing not a single word from him.

Benue killing? U are joking.
U never talk weytin dey your mind

Atiku is the Cause of PDP downfall. He left the party and form an alliance, which succeeded.

He came back to PDP contesting against buhari and lost.( I voted for him)

When it was time for southerner, he forced himself undermining the power of the South.

Forgetting that the only tread holding PDP is the South

TINUBU WILL COMPLETE SECOND TERM( As a CRS citizen) u can't expect me to vote a northerner right now. Na turn by turn

After TINUBU I go vote for any person north present as a potential Candidate(which atiku is no longer in my picture)

Atiku can only be president of Dubai, not here in Nigeria so he should give us chance to conduct our presidential elections!

If he wants to use the South's turn to become president then that cannot happen

In fairness to Atiku, he won the primaries for the tickets he got to represent the party.

Buy Atiku has not been fair the PDP.

After losing 2019 elections, Atiku disappeared to Dubai. He returned to prepare for the 2023 elections. After winning the primaries, he disappeared to Morocco.

The party is bleeding. Instead of Atiku to bring stakeholders to rescue the party irrespective of what happens, Atiku is actively undermining the party. For example, he announced coalition without pre-informing the PDP.

There is only one reason: Atiku considers himself bigger than the PDP. There lies the problem.

stonebil:
Atiku is the Cause of PDP downfall. He left the party and form an alliance, which succeeded.

He came back to PDP contesting against buhari and lost.

When it was time for southern, he rigged the system.

Forgetting that the only tread holding PDP is the South

The most selfish politician that ever liveth!

He cannot but he will see the consequences of his selfish ambition which is against opinion of most of the party. Who are those ing atiku or another northerner for president in ur party knowing its time for the south?

it seems Atiku is the one who wants to bully the party into accepting his presidential ambition. Obviously he believes money will do it for him against ethics or principles.

Who can bully Atiku? Baba wey don de try since 1993

We don hear.

next pls

6 attempts since 1993?

What exactly is he looking for?

jaxxy:
He cannot but he will see the consequences of his selfish ambition which is against opinion of most of the party. Who are those ing atiku or another northerner for president in ur party knowing its time for the south?

it seems Atiku is the one who wants to bully the party into accepting his presidential ambition. Obviously he believes money will do it for him against ethics or principles.

Does he have money?

DMerciful:
Sowunmi is working for Tinubu

Wise guy

omonnakoda:
Does he have money?

How did he beat wike in 2023 party ticket with all the looted rivers money?

jaxxy:


How did he beat wike in 2023 party ticket with all the looted rivers money?

I have no idea
Educate me please. He paid Tambuwwal?

jaxxy:


How did he beat wike in 2023 party ticket with all the looted rivers money?

I have no idea
Educate me please. He paid Tambuwwal? By your logic Buhari has more money for beating him in APC primaries

Let him go and contest again, hes gonna make it a easy win for Asiwaju
He is a serai failure in Poliltics