A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has weighed in on the growing competition among top political figures seeking the party’s presidential ticket.
Speaking on Monday during an appearance on Arise News, Momodu said several heavyweight politicians within the ADC are positioning themselves for the party’s presidential nomination ahead of the 2027 elections.
According to him, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi all believe they are qualified to fly the party’s flag.
“Everyone is contesting. Atiku believes he deserves the ticket. Peter Obi believes the same. Rotimi Amaechi also believes so. No one goes into an election without believing they can win,” Momodu said.
He expressed optimism that despite the intense rivalry, the party would eventually rally around a single candidate.
“There are many men of timber and calibre in the ADC who want to run. One person will emerge, and by the grace of God, the others will support him,” he added.
When asked if either Atiku or Obi should step down for the other, Momodu dismissed the idea, insisting that the party’s flagbearer must emerge through primaries rather than consensus.
“There is no question of stepping down. A primary is an election. Consensus only applies when people voluntarily withdraw. We are not at that stage yet,” he said.
Momodu, however, openly declared Atiku as his preferred candidate, describing him as a “candidate of necessity” based on experience and political strength.
“By experience, exposure, and political calculation, Atiku Abubakar remains the most experienced person in the race. In terms of national formidability, it is Atiku,” he stated.
He further argued that winning elections in Nigeria requires strategic calculations rather than emotions.
“By 2027, ethnicity will be a major factor. Every region feels aggrieved. This is a game of numbers, and you must calculate where the votes will come from,” Momodu noted.
Responding to concerns about Atiku’s age, he said similar criticism was not directed at President Bola Tinubu.
“I don’t see much difference between Atiku’s age and Tinubu’s, yet no one complains about Tinubu’s age,” he said.
Momodu also stressed that Nigeria’s constitution does not mandate rotational presidency.
“There is nothing in the constitution that says power must rotate every eight years. Power is not automatic because you come from a particular zone,” he explained.
On public criticism of politicians who defect from one party to another, Momodu said defections are neither illegal nor unusual.
“There is nothing in the constitution that forbids defection. Even constitutional provisions are often ignored by the ruling party,” the Ovation publisher remarked.
He concluded that defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would require unity, experience, and strong alliances.
“Tinubu is not someone who will fall easily. You need people who have been tested and proven. Otherwise, we should forget it,” he said.