Tinubu’s politics forced the opposition to work together, says Dele Momodu

The chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has confirmed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is inadvertently encouraging key opposition figures to work together ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday, Momodu argued that the emerging partisanship among opposition leaders was not due to shared ideologies, but rather was a reaction to the existing political environment shaped by the ruling government.

“Tinubu forced them all to unite. And that’s why they are all moving in one direction. That would be very beautiful, because it would be like a two-party race,” Momodu said.

Publisher Ovation International made the statement while reacting to the recent political realignment involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, both of whom moved to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) after leaving the previous platform.

Obi, the Labor Party’s presidential candidate in 2023, and Kwankwaso of the New Nigerian People’s Party cited internal strife and a challenging political climate as reasons for their decision — fueling speculation about a potential joint pairing in the next election cycle.

However, Momodu cautioned against assuming that past electoral support will automatically translate to future wins, as Nigeria’s political landscape continues to evolve.

“Are you saying that Tinubu will retain the over 8 million people who voted for him last time? How are you sure… What is the guarantee that Obi and Kwankwaso are the only people who will retain all the people who voted for them last time? The situation has changed,” he asked.

He further stated that the President’s electoral power could be reduced if a transparent process was implemented.

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Momodu added that if Tinubu allows free and fair elections, “he may not get 3 million votes.”

To support his argument, he pointed to recent political results involving members of the G5 bloc, and noted that some members were unable to achieve senatorial wins in their respective states—an indication, he said, of shifting voter loyalties across the country.

Despite ongoing coalition talks, Momodu stressed that the ADC remains firm in its strategy, welcoming newcomers but rejecting pressure or dependence on any political figure.

“Those who want to join, just join. Those who don’t want to join, must not fall into blackmail. Only one person can make us win,” he stressed.

Reflecting on past alliances, he observed that previous collaborations, including the partnership between Atiku Abubakar and Obi in 2019, did not result in electoral success, while their separate candidacies in 2023 also failed to oust the ruling party.

Momodu closed his speech with a note of caution to political actors, urging patience and strategic thinking, citing his late mother’s advice: “Stop running from whatever is chasing you, because you might run into what is chasing you.”

He also wished Obi the best in his political journey, and emphasized that no individual should be forced out of the race because of the ambitions or hopes of others.