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

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television on Wednesday, Momodu argued that the emerging alignment among opposition leaders is less about shared ideology and more a reaction to the prevailing political environment shaped by 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,” Momodu said.

The Ovation International publisher made the remarks while reacting to the recent political realignment involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, both of whom moved to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) after exiting previous platforms.

Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, and Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party had cited internal disputes and a challenging political climate as reasons for their decisions—sparking speculation about a potential joint ticket in the next election cycle.

However, Momodu cautioned against assuming that past electoral support would automatically translate into future victories, noting that Nigeria’s political landscape is constantly evolving.

“Are you saying that Tinubu will retain all the 8 million plus people that 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 those who voted for them last time? The situation has changed,” he queried.

He went further to suggest that the President’s electoral strength could diminish under a transparent process.

Momodu added that if Tinubu allows a free and fair election, “he might not even get 3 million votes.”

To support his argument, he pointed to recent political outcomes involving members of the G5 bloc, noting that some were unable to secure senatorial victories in their respective states—an indication, he said, of shifting voter loyalties across the country.

Despite ongoing coalition talks, Momodu maintained that the ADC remains firm in its strategy, welcoming new entrants but rejecting pressure or dependency on any single political figure.

“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 declared.

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

Momodu concluded with a note of caution to political actors, urging patience and strategic thinking, while 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.”

He also wished Obi well in his political journey, emphasising that no individual should be pressured out of the race based on another’s ambitions or expectations.