How Tinubu Forced Obi, Kwankwaso to Work Together — Dele Momodu

• ADC chieftain Dele Momodu says President Bola Tinubu’s political pressure pushed opposition figures like Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso into forming a united front ahead of 2027.

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu is responsible for the growing alliance among opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Momodu argued that the emerging unity between politicians such as Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso is not based on long-term strategy but rather a reaction to pressure from 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,” he said.

Momodu made the remarks while reacting to the recent defection of Obi and Kwankwaso to the Nigeria Democratic Congress. Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, left the party alongside Kwankwaso, citing internal disputes and what they described as a toxic political environment.

Their move has fueled speculation about a possible joint presidential ticket ahead of the 2027 elections. However, Momodu cautioned against assuming that past voter support would automatically carry forward.

“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 said.

He added that if President Tinubu allows a free and fair election, “he might not even get 3 million votes,” pointing to shifting voter dynamics since the 2023 elections.

Momodu also referenced the electoral struggles of some G5 governors who failed to secure senatorial seats in their states, including Enugu, Abia, and Benue, as evidence that political loyalty among voters is evolving.

On coalition talks, the ADC chieftain maintained that his party remains focused and open to new members but rejected any suggestion that electoral success depends on a single individual.

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“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 said.

He further noted that previous alliances, such as the 2019 ticket involving Atiku Abubakar and Obi, did not produce victory, while separate runs in 2023 also failed to unseat the ruling party.

Advising political actors to remain cautious, Momodu quoted his late mother: “Stop running from whatever is chasing you, because you might run into what is chasing you,” while wishing Obi well in his political journey.