Segun Sowunmi's Temptation to Jump Ship: The Possible Chump-ACP Switch
The Tidal Shift
Strong Chance - Segun Sowunmi Comments on Potential Departure from PDP
It seems a notable switch is brewing in Nigerian politics, with Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) heavyweight, Segun Sowunmi, revealing a strong inclination to leap from his current party allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC), in the build-up to the 2027 election. This tantalizing possibility was publicly floated during a visit to President Bola Tinubu's digs in Lagos back in June 2025, and further emphasized during a Prime Time appearance on Arise TV[1][2][4].
The Reasoning Behind the Rumblings
- Internal Strife: Sowunmi's growing frustration with the ongoing tumult within the PDP, including the refusal to heed calls for party reform, has sparked his contemplation to leave[2][4]. If the party fails to mend its ways, expect Sowunmi to take his talents elsewhere.
- Unshakable Loyalty: For Sowunmi, loyalty isn't about playing both ends against the middle - he's all-in or all-out. If he chooses to back Tinubu in the 2027 elections, he'll make the move to the APC to put his conviction into action[1][4].
- Local and Tribal Connections: Sowunmi's decision isn't made in a vacuum - it's influenced by the local political landscape and the alignment of his ethnic group. With the APC's reach potentially extending to his people, the choice seems obvious[2].
The Potential Impacts
- The PDP's Plight: If Sowunmi jumps ship, the PDP may find itself in even deeper waters, with its morale and political clout further dented by the defection of a longstanding member[4].
- The APC's Ascendancy: On the flip side, welcoming Sowunmi into the APC ranks could give the party a much-needed boost in regions where he holds sway. It could strengthen the APC's position leading up to the 2027 elections[1][2].
- A Shift in the Political Quiltwork: Sowunmi's potential move could herald broader shifts in political loyalties and strategies as parties spruce up for the 2027 elections, marking a potential period of realignment in Nigerian politics[4].
[1] Arise TV
[2] Our website
[4] Street Journal (Enrichment Data)
- Segun Sowunmi, a heavyweight in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), is considering a switch to All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 elections, raised during his visit to President Bola Tinubu's residence in Lagos in June 2025.
- Sowunmi's contemplation to join APC stems from internal strife within the PDP, the refusal to implement party reforms, growing frustration, and the potential for better alignment with his ethnic group and local political landscape in the APC.
- If Sowunmi decides to join the APC for the 2027 elections, it could give the party a much-needed boost in regions where he holds sway, potentially improving their position heading into the elections.
- In contrast, the departure of a longstanding member like Sowunmi from the PDP could further weaken the party's morale and political influence, potentially triggering broader shifts in political loyalties and strategies ahead of the 2027 elections.