“I Spent Quality Time with the President” — Atiku Ally Segun Showunmi Visits Tinubu During Eid

Segun Showunmi, a senior member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and former spokesperson for Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 presidential campaign, has confirmed spending part of the Eid-el-Kabir festivities with President Bola Tinubu — a gesture that’s fueling speculation about realignments within Nigeria’s political class.

“Sallah Day 3! I spent quality time with the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, @officialABAT GCFR. It was engaging and nostalgic,” Showunmi posted on X (formerly Twitter) on Sunday evening, alongside a photo of himself standing beside the president.

The visit comes at a time of growing concern within opposition ranks, as a wave of defections from the PDP and other parties to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) intensifies. While Showunmi has not announced any intention to leave the PDP, his public show of camaraderie with Tinubu is seen by some observers as part of a broader pattern of shifting alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Just weeks ago, Showunmi reaffirmed his support for the PDP’s independence, stating in April that while individuals are free to align politically, any coalition involving the PDP must be approached with “clarity and respect” for the party’s ideology and internal structure. He also noted that Atiku Abubakar, who is currently advocating for an opposition coalition, would still need to formally consult with the PDP leadership.

Showunmi is not the first close associate of Atiku to engage publicly with Tinubu. In November 2024, President Tinubu appointed Daniel Bwala — another former spokesperson for Atiku — as Special Adviser on Public Communications and Media.