A prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress,Dele Momodu, has strongly criticised assertions by supporters of former Anambra State governor Peter Obi that their principal must emerge as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election, describing such declarations as disrespectful to other leaders within the coalition.
Momodu, publisher of Ovation Magazine, expressed concern that rhetoric emanating from sections of the Obidient movement was undermining the spirit of collaboration necessary for the success of the emerging political alliance, which brings together several heavyweight politicians from across the country.
Speaking on Channels Television on Thursday, Momodu responded to recent comments by rights activist Aisha Yesufu and economist Professor Pat Utomi, both close allies of Obi, who had publicly warned that their support for the ADC could be withdrawn if Obi is not handed the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Yesufu had argued that Obi represents “the best” among the political figures now assembled under the ADC umbrella and should not be made to “play second fiddle” to anyone in the coalition. Her position echoed an earlier statement by Utomi, who had similarly suggested that Obi’s credentials and electoral appeal place him above other aspirants within the party.
Reacting to these assertions, Momodu said the narrative being pushed by some Obidient supporters was not only divisive but also dismissive of other prominent and experienced figures who have thrown their weight behind the coalition.
“When I talked about people being rambunctious, I read stories where someone was quoted as saying, ‘Why will the best of us always be playing second fiddle to the worst of us?'” Momodu said, clearly referencing the tone of recent public interventions by Obi’s allies.
He questioned the basis for such sweeping assessments. “What determines who is the worst of us?” Momodu asked, describing the language as deeply insulting to other leaders who have contributed significantly to Nigeria’s political development over several decades.
Momodu stressed that the ADC coalition comprises several experienced and accomplished political figures, each with a strong claim to leadership based on their records of public service and political engagement.
“Today, if you ask me, in ADC, there are prominent potential candidates. Number one on the list as of today is Alhaji Atiku Abubakar because he was a vice president, he has played at the highest level for eight years,” Momodu said, making clear his view that hierarchy and experience must be respected within the coalition.
He recalled Atiku Abubakar’s extensive political history, noting that the former vice president has been a fixture in Nigerian presidential politics for more than three decades. “He started contesting for the presidency in 1993, when he stepped down for Chief MKO Abiola in Jos,” Momodu said, referencing the historic Social Democratic Party convention in Jos, Plateau State, where Atiku withdrew from the race in favour of the late business mogul and democracy icon.
Beyond Atiku, Momodu listed other formidable figures within the coalition whose credentials, he argued, cannot be dismissed or diminished by supporters of any single aspirant. He mentioned former Rivers State governor and minister Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as a major contender with a distinguished political resume.
“The next person will be Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who has been Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years. He’s been governor for eight years, he’s been minister for years,” Momodu said, underscoring the depth of Amaechi’s experience in governance and administration at both state and federal levels.
He then acknowledged Obi’s own political pedigree. “Then, we got to Peter Obi, who has been a governor of Anambra State for two terms,” Momodu said, placing Obi within the broader constellation of leaders rather than above them.
Momodu also highlighted the contributions of other northern figures in the coalition, singling out former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai for particular praise. “There are other people, if you look towards the North, you have Malam Nasir El-Rufai, a man whose brain is so fertile. I respect his brain so much and he is a brain box for our party,” he said.
Returning to the central grievance, Momodu expressed bewilderment at the characterisation of other coalition leaders as inferior to Obi. “So, I don’t know where people got the idea of the worst of us,” he said.
He firmly rejected any suggestion that Atiku, in particular, could be regarded as “the worst” among the aspirants, pointing to his post-political career and sustained relevance in national affairs. “Atiku certainly cannot be the worst of us. He left power in 2007, he has been building his businesses, and God has blessed him with good health,” Momodu said, defending the former vice president’s record and standing.
Momodu also took issue with Utomi’s veiled threat to withdraw support if Obi is not chosen as the party’s candidate, describing such ultimatums as inconsistent with the principles of coalition politics. “That cannot be a threat. You cannot threaten other potential candidates,” he said.
Emphasising the collaborative nature of the political arrangement, Momodu said the success of the ADC depends on mutual respect and the willingness of all stakeholders to work together rather than impose preconditions. “We need the cooperation of everybody. That is why we call it a coalition. It is not a one-man thing, and Nigeria does not recognise independent candidacy,” he said, making clear that no single individual, regardless of popularity, can unilaterally dictate the direction of the party.
While acknowledging Obi’s undeniable appeal and the enthusiasm of his support base, Momodu cautioned against elevating one figure above others in a manner that risks alienating key coalition partners. “Obi is a fantastic guy, a phenomenon,” he said, paying tribute to the former Anambra governor’s political rise and the grassroots energy that propelled his 2023 presidential campaign under the Labour Party.
However, Momodu drew a firm line at suggestions that Obi’s popularity translates into automatic entitlement to the ADC ticket. “But to say he is the best of all of them where you have the Atikus and the Amaechis is an insult to the rest of them,” he said, warning that such rhetoric could undermine the unity necessary for the coalition to present a credible challenge in 2027.
The ADC coalition represents one of the most significant political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, bringing together former governors, ministers, and presidential candidates from different political traditions. The convergence has been driven by shared dissatisfaction with the current administration and a belief that a united opposition platform offers the best chance of unseating the ruling All Progressives Congress.
However, the question of who will emerge as the coalition’s presidential candidate has already begun to generate tensions, with supporters of the various principals jockeying for position and seeking to shape public perception in favour of their preferred aspirants.
Obi’s supporters, widely known as the Obidient movement, have been particularly vocal in their insistence that their principal, who came third in the 2023 presidential election, deserves first consideration for the ticket. They argue that his strong showing in that election, particularly among younger voters and in southern Nigeria, makes him the coalition’s most viable candidate.
Yesufu had articulated this position forcefully in recent media appearances, insisting that Obi’s credentials and electoral appeal should not be subordinated to what she described as less successful politicians. Her comments reflected a broader sentiment within sections of the Obidient movement that Obi has earned the right to lead the coalition by virtue of his 2023 performance and the organisational strength of his support base.
Utomi, an economist and long-time ally of Obi, had similarly suggested that the coalition’s chances of success depend on recognising Obi’s unique appeal and giving him the platform to build on the momentum from the last election cycle.
