- Dele Momodu declared that only a formidable Northern candidate could realistically challenge President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election
- He warned that Northern alienation under Tinubu's leadership could reshape voter dynamics and urged the PDP to rethink its electoral strategy
- Amid growing Northern discontent, Momodu advocated for strategic coalitions, naming Senator Kwankwaso as key to strengthening the opposition
Dele Momodu, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has asserted that only a formidable candidate from Northern Nigeria stands a real chance of unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Morning Show, the former PDP presidential aspirant stressed that the North remains pivotal in determining the outcome of national elections and warned that perceived marginalisation under Tinubu's administration could alienate Northern voters.
“I believe Tinubu can only be effectively countered by another strong candidate from the North, any Southerner who thinks they can challenge Tinubu is likely wasting their time. The PDP—or any coalition—must recognise that power dynamics require strategic thinking,” Momodu said.
He likened Nigerian politics to an “optical illusion,” suggesting that appearances are often deceptive and strategy must be rooted in realism.
Momodu also emphasised the need for broad-based coalitions, suggesting that political alliances involving Northern heavyweights—such as Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso—would significantly strengthen the opposition’s chances.
His comments come amid growing Northern dissent. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, a former Special Adviser on Political Affairs to Tinubu in Vice President Kashim Shettima’s office, recently hinted that the North would soon determine its political trajectory.
He also urged Tinubu to “step aside” and allow a younger generation of leaders to take charge of the country’s future.
Dele Momodu accuses President Tinubu of using intimidation to force political defections
Meanwhile, TheRadar reported that Nigerian journalist and publisher of Ovation Magazine, Dele Momodu, has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of employing heavy-handed tactics to coerce opposition figures into joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Wednesday, April 23, Momodu asserted that fear, rather than ideological alignment or genuine loyalty, was the primary driver behind the increasing wave of defections to the APC.
