Segun Sowunmi Says Peter Obi Refuses to Listen, Accuses Him of Avoiding Primaries

By IDNN Politics Desk

Sowunmi’s Criticism of Obi

ABUJA — A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Segun Sowunmi, has accused former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi of refusing to heed advice and attempting to avoid internal party contests.

Speaking on Nigeria Info FM, Sowunmi said he advised Obi months ago to return to the PDP, noting that the party “owes the South-East a debt” for not having produced a presidential candidate since 1999.

“Obi Thinks He Is Too Clever”

Sowunmi was blunt in his assessment:

“Peter is someone who doesn’t listen. I told him more than three, four months ago that the time was right to return because the PDP owes the South-East a debt. But Peter thinks he is too clever. He never wants to do primaries.”

He argued that primaries remain the foundation of internal democracy. “Anybody that doesn’t want to do primaries is looking for somebody to cheat on his behalf,” he added.

Labour Party Management Questioned

The PDP chieftain also faulted Obi’s leadership in the Labour Party, claiming he had failed to manage it effectively. “When they gave him a platform like Labour, he could not manage it. Nigeria cannot be waiting for Peter. If Peter cannot be president as an Igbo person, one day another Igbo person will emerge,” Sowunmi stated.

Context of PDP Zoning

Sowunmi’s remarks came after the PDP zoned its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, a move that has sparked debate within the party. He suggested Obi wants to capitalise on that zoning without subjecting himself to a competitive primary process.

Political analysts say his comments reflect wider tensions as the PDP and other parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.

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