A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s presidential campaign, Segun Sowunmi, has disclosed that the former vice president has yet to provide a clear answer about running for the presidency in 2027.
While Atiku has not officially declared his intention to contest in the next presidential election, Sowunmi noted that his demeanor suggests he may be considering a third consecutive bid. Speaking during an interview with Channels Television, Sowunmi described Atiku as being in a “reflective mood.”
“Atiku Abubakar is someone I deeply respect and admire. The heart might falter, but the bones remain steadfast,” Sowunmi said.
He explained that he had directly asked Atiku twice about his intentions: “I asked him, ‘Are you running? Are you done? If you are running, what do we do with the structure? If not, we need to adopt a different approach.’”
Sowunmi emphasized the need for change, saying, “We can’t keep doing the same thing and expect a different result after two unsuccessful attempts.”
Despite his persistent inquiries, Atiku has not provided a definitive answer. “He was quiet and still in a reflective mood. He hasn’t said ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ and I respect that,” Sowunmi added.
He also highlighted the weight of contesting an election and the challenges Atiku has faced: “Any reasonable person should understand the heavy burden of elections. Someone with Atiku’s experiences, challenges, and even betrayals needs to reflect deeply before making such a decision.”
Sowunmi concluded, “I’ve asked him twice, and he hasn’t answered. When he does, whatever his decision is, we’ll take it from there.”
