A former governorship candidate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Segun Sowunmi, has described President Bola Tinubu as Nigeria’s first ‘real politician’ to occupy the presidency.

Sowunmi made the remark during an interview on TVC News on Tuesday, highlighting the unique challenges Tinubu’s leadership poses to opposition politics.

He said, “President Bola Tinubu is the first real politician that has won an election and is president. President Obasanjo couldn’t call himself a politician; he was a soldier. President Buhari couldn’t call himself a politician; he’s a soldier. Jonathan really couldn’t call himself a politician, like that we just came in over the misery of others.

He emphasised the need for opposition parties to recalibrate their strategies, stating that engaging Tinubu would require quality minds and a deliberate approach to ensure accountability in governance.

“But Bola Tinubu is a politician. So if we’re to engage him, and if we’re to ensure that he doesn’t run away with the jar, the cookie pot, and the cookie itself, we must have a way to bring quality minds to think about this democracy vis-a-vis how opposition plays.”

Speaking further on the recent visit to the National Secretariat of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), alongside former Kaduna state governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, and others, Sowunmi suggested that such gatherings often hint at significant political movements, especially as preparations for the 2027 elections begin to take shape.

“So what happened with the SDP visitation with my friend, the chairman of the party, His Excellency Shehu Gabam, is that he, being a long-time politician like me—we’ve been in PDP together—came up with such an ingenious idea at the beginning of the year,” he said.

“It was a brilliant thought from him, and that’s why you need intelligent minds leading a party. He figured, ‘Look, it’s the start of the year; why not invite some passionate Nigerians who care about the country’s progress, and let’s banter, greet each other, and see where the discussion leads?’

“And that’s exactly what happened. What can be expected from it? When politicians start greeting each other, something is definitely in the offing.”

Sowunmi also pointed to the instability in opposition parties like the NNPP, Labour Party, and PDP, and the complacency within the APC. He stressed the need to re-engage Nigerians with credible platforms and visionary leadership, warning the ruling party to remain vigilant amidst evolving political dynamics.