Atiku constitutionally fit to run for president, he cannot be bullied – Ex Spokesman Sowunmi

By Kingsley Chukwuka

A former Spokesman to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Otunba Segun Sowunmi, has said politicians cannot bully the former vice president from contesting the 2027 presidential election.

Sowunmi, a chieftain of the People’s Democratic Party, said Atiku still has the constitutional mandate to run for election having contested six times and lost twice to the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidates.

“With Atiku having lost twice to the APC in his six attempts, his critics have asked him to step aside so that younger candidates can represent the party as presidential candidates”.

Responding, Sowunmi said instead of politicians concentrating on how to win elections, they are busy profiling Atiku’s chances in the next general elections, adding that they cannot talk Atiku out of whatever he has made up his mind to do.

According to him: “People spend too much time on a matter that is supposed to be a personal decision and a right granted by the constitution.

“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 talking about how they win or even how they’re going to win the general elections they have devoted too much time into trying to bully a man that cannot be bullied.

“I know very well that if anybody tries to bully him, you basically succeeded only to make him more resolute in his position,” he said.

Our correspondent recalls that the APC National Vice Chairman, Garba Datti had said Atiku should remain a statesman rather than wasting his time and resources to run for 2027 presidency.

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He said Atiku, having been contesting since 1993, should take a cue from another former Vice President, Namadi Sambo, who has been operating in the background and remained an elder statesman since he left office in 2015.

“As we approach the next general election, you are at it again. However, this time around, having sensed that your party, the PDP may not cede the presidential ticket to you, you are now considering joining forces with some aggrieved politicians to form a coalition to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu come 2027”, said.