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LAGOS, Nigeria - As the 2027 general election approaches, President Bola Tinubu and Segun Showunmi, a former spokesman for ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have convened to deliberate on national issues and the potential for Showunmi to shift to the All Progressives Congress (APC) prior to the election.
Showunmi, who previously ran for governorship under the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, reportedly spent considerable time with Tinubu discussing solutions to national challenges and how to receive a warm welcome into the ruling party, particularly in his local area.
Their meeting took place at the President's private residence in Ikoyi, Lagos State, following Tinubu's gathering with the Governor Advisory Council (GAC) members, which included State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mudasiru Obasa, among others.
After the meeting, Showunmi confirmed the discussion by sharing a photo and described it as enjoyable and sentimental, stating, "On Sallah Day 3, I spent quality time with the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. It was engaging and nostalgic."
However, this development drew criticism from former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, who accused Showunmi of hypocrisy, suggesting that he criticizes the ruling party publicly while associating with its leaders privately.
Sowore remarked on Showunmi's behavior of "double speak," recalling that after the 2023 presidential election, Showunmi reached out to him, expressing concern over the country's direction and suggesting a united front against the ruling elite, particularly the Tinubu administration.
Sowore reminded Showunmi of their shared experiences at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), emphasizing how Showunmi excelled in rallying students with his rhetoric yet consistently shied away from leadership roles during protests, always offering excuses.
He challenged Showunmi as to whether he would stand firm against the Tinubu government as he had previously claimed, noting that Showunmi had yet to respond.
He expressed no surprise at finding Showunmi in photo opportunities with Tinubu in Lagos, framing such interactions as typical of "opposition figures" involved in coalition discussions.
