Tinubu Pushed Opposition Into Uneasy Alliance — Momodu

Dele Momodu

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu inadvertently forced opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, into working together ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday, Momodu argued that the emerging alignment among opposition leaders is less about long-term ideological unity and more a reaction to pressure from the ruling establishment.

“Tinubu forced all of them together, and that is why they moved in one direction. It could have been beautiful—like a two-party race,” he said.

The publisher of Ovation International made the remarks while reacting to the recent political shifts involving Obi and Kwankwaso. Both politicians were reported to have distanced themselves from coalition arrangements, citing internal disputes and an increasingly toxic political climate.

Their moves have since reignited speculation over a possible joint presidential ticket in 2027, though Momodu cautioned against reading too much into evolving alliances, stressing that Nigeria’s political landscape has shifted significantly since the 2023 elections.

“Can anyone guarantee that Tinubu will retain the over eight million votes he secured last time? Or that Obi and Kwankwaso will automatically keep theirs? The situation has changed,” he queried.

He further argued that if the next election is conducted freely and fairly, the outcome could defy expectations, noting that voter loyalty is increasingly fluid.

Momodu pointed to the struggles of some G5 governors, who failed to secure senatorial victories in their respective states, as evidence that political influence no longer guarantees electoral success.

On coalition politics, the ADC stalwart maintained that his party remains open but resolute, welcoming new entrants while rejecting the notion that victory hinges on any single individual.

“Those who want to join are free to do so. But we cannot be blackmailed into believing only one person can deliver victory,” he said.

Reflecting on past alliances, he noted that the 2019 partnership between Atiku Abubakar and Obi failed to unseat the ruling party, just as their separate bids in 2023 fell short.

Advising caution, Momodu invoked a personal proverb from his late mother: “Stop running from whatever is chasing you, because you might run into what is chasing you.”

He wished Obi well in his political journey, emphasizing that no aspirant should be pressured to step aside based on the ambitions or claims of others.