A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu compelled opposition figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, to work together ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday, Momodu argued that the emerging unity among opposition leaders is not driven by genuine long-term alignment but rather a reaction to political pressure from the ruling government.
“Tinubu forced all of them together. And that is why they all moved in one direction. Which would have been beautiful, because it would have been like a two-party race,” he said.
The publisher of Ovation International made the remarks while reacting to recent political realignments involving Obi and Kwankwaso. Both politicians were reported to have distanced themselves from coalition arrangements, citing internal disputes and an increasingly tense political environment.
Their moves have sparked fresh debates about the possibility of a joint presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections, with analysts divided over its feasibility and potential impact.
Momodu, however, cautioned against assumptions that key political figures would automatically retain their previous voter base. According to him, Nigeria’s political landscape has evolved significantly since the 2023 elections.
“Are you saying that Tinubu will retain all the 8 million-plus people that voted for him last time? What is the guarantee that Obi and Kwankwaso are the only people who will retain their supporters? The situation has changed,” he queried.
He further argued that if the President conducts a free and fair election, his vote tally could decline significantly, citing shifting voter loyalties across the country.
To support his position, Momodu referenced the performance of some G5 governors, noting that several failed to secure senatorial victories in their respective states, an indication of changing political dynamics.
On coalition talks, the ADC chieftain maintained that his party remains focused and open to new members but would not yield to pressure or the notion that electoral success depends on a single individual.
“Those who want to join should join. Those who do not want to join, you cannot succumb to blackmail. That only one man can make us win,” he stated.
Momodu also recalled that the 2019 alliance between Atiku Abubakar and Obi failed to secure victory, while their separate bids in 2023 equally did not unseat the ruling party.
He urged political actors to remain calm and strategic, quoting a piece of advice from his late mother: “Stop running from whatever is chasing you, because you might run into what is chasing you.”
Momodu concluded by wishing Obi well in his political pursuits and emphasised that no aspirant should be pressured into stepping aside based on individual claims or political calculations.
Margaret ABAH
