- Safiu Kehinde
Segun Showunmi, a renown critic of President Bola Tinubu, has on Sunday stirred reactions from the public following his visit to the President.
The former spokesperson to the 2023 Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, had raised eyebrow with his controversial visit to Tinubu at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos.
As shared in a post on his Facebook page Showunmi revealed to have spent quality time with the President.
“I spent quality time with the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR. It was engaging and nostalgic.” He wrote.
His visitation however sparked reactions from netizens and public figures such as human rights activist and 2023 African Action Congress (AAC) Presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore.
Reacting to Showunmi’s visitation in a post on his Facebook handle, Sowore labelled him as a double speak as he disclosed how the former Atiku’s aide reached out to him after the 2023 Presidential election.
Sowore claimed Showunmi had expressed his dissatisfaction with the Tinubu’s regime while proposing a unified front against the President.
The Sahara Reporter’s publisher said he had reminded Showunmi of his self-serving demagoguery during their student activism time days at the University of Lagos (UNILAG).
While acknowledging his rhetorics skills which proved effective in mobilising students, Sowore accused Showunmi shying away from leadership responsibility during students action.
“I have observed that Segun Showunmi’s behavior is characterized by double speak. Following the 2023 Presidential election, he reached out to me, expressing dissatisfaction with the nation’s path and proposing a unified front against the ruling elite, particularly Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s regime.
“I reminded him of our time at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), highlighting my freshman year exploits with him and noting his self-serving demagoguery. We shared residence at Henry Carr Hall, close to the university gate at Akoka.
“While Segun Showunmi demonstrated exceptional ability in mobilizing students through his rhetoric, he consistently avoided leadership responsibilities during student actions, always providing excuses. In this context, I inquired whether he would maintain his resolve when facing off against Tinubu regime as he had suggested; to date, he has not provided a response.
“Not surprised to see him in this photo-ops with Tinubu in Lagos these are the “opposition figures” in coalition talks.” Sowore wrote.
Also reacting under Showunmi’s post were netizens who tend to be unsurprised with his visitation to Tinubu as they considered switch of allegiance for political and monetary gain a common feature of Nigerian politicians.
“So all this Cho Cho this where you land at last”@Adoghe Ismail wrote.
“Tomorrow oga go enter TV and tell us Tinubu is the best thing after slice bread”@Ademola Alabede
“Na when national cake no reach them, we go the hear noise up and down. Tinubu know where to get them and keep them quiet”@Aruwa Manaba
“The acclaimed opposition figure who spent “quality” time with the President should be commended by the leaders of the opposition parties…jare ! Atiku, Bob Dee, and others will soon join the fray of people spending quality time with the President. Trust Nigerian politicians at your peril, especially those who visit TV stations regularly.”@Lola Sotola
“Na people wey dey rate Nigeria politicians i dey blame 😂😂😂😂😂”@Aloa Mathew Uzochukwu
“The man you have been tweaking for since the last election. Hopefully, he will give you one appointment just as he gave your idol, Wike!”@Ikenna Ukwuaba
“So unfortunate to see such a post from someone who called himself opposition figure claiming spending quality time with political opponents. Of a truth hunger is a bastard .Gone gone gone !!!”@Oluwole Bright.
However, some netizens applauded Showunmi for his visit to the President.
“Fantastic. I’m cool with this. Everything would now be easily done. I’m excited.”@Alli Sulaiman Abiodun
“Otumba Segun Showunmi, our own senior. I pray your relevance will never diminish in Jesus name.”@Ebun Adeleke-Aiku
“All hands must be on deck to move our country forward!”@Muyiwa Adeyemi
“keep breaking barriers my friend”@Omobola Sodimu
“I once hear PBAT say: “in politics that’s no gerrout of here, there’s only get over here”. Those criticising the president for welcoming opposition elements into his party should please ask their own principals not to welcome or accept opponents willing to join their party.”@Abdulrasheed Ahmed.