Coalition: Obidients Free To Support Peter Obi, I Stand With Atiku — Dele Momodu

Veteran journalist and chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bashorun Dele Momodu, has reaffirmed his unwavering support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to emerge as the presidential candidate of the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 elections.

Speaking on Channels Television’s ‘Politics Today’ on Monday evening, Momodu emphasised that while he stands with Atiku, he respects the right of other political supporters, including the Obi-dients to back their own candidates, particularly Labour Party’s Peter Obi.

“My best choice is Atiku, and that is what I expect Obi-dients to say, which I expect those who support Amaechi to say — there’s nothing wrong with that,” Momodu stated.

“I have never asked anyone not to support Obi. Obi is my very good friend. If you asked me about one of the people who should lead the coalition, I would say it should be Obi. But as a democrat, I’m appealing to them, hoping they will be able to do it democratically so that they will not say it was forced upon them.”

Momodu’s comments came amid heated debates surrounding who should lead the ADC-backed coalition ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He stressed that all aspirants, including Obi and former Transportation Minister, Rotimi Amaechi, should face the test of popularity through a democratic process.

“Let them all go to the field. Let all Obi-dients campaign for Obi, let those Atikulates campaign for Atiku, and let the Amaechis campaign for Amaechi. That is my belief,” he said.

The Ovation Magazine publisher also accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of trying to influence the outcome of the ADC coalition’s candidate selection by pushing for a southern candidate, a move he believed was rooted in fear of Atiku’s candidacy.

“The ruling APC wants a southerner to emerge as the ADC candidate because the party and its leaders are afraid of Atiku,” Momodu alleged.

“If you listen to Wike very well, they’ve all been campaigning that the next president should still come from southern Nigeria, but they know very well that there’s no Southerner today. The only one who could have attempted it is Wike, and since he is supporting Asiwaju, he is no longer available.”

He further asserted that the ongoing “campaigns of calumny” against Atiku were evidence that the APC felt threatened by the former vice president.

Describing Atiku as a model leader, Momodu reiterated his belief in the PDP stalwart’s capacity to lead Nigeria effectively.

“Atiku is a good example of what a leader should be in Nigeria,” Momodu stated.