- Dele Momodu clarified that neither Atiku Abubakar nor Peter Obi owns the African Democratic Congress
- He stated that the ADC would determine its 2027 presidential candidate, not any individual
- Momodu warned that time was not on the party’s side in the push to challenge President Bola Tinubu
Former presidential candidate and veteran journalist Dele Momodu has clarified that neither ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar nor former Governor Peter Obi own the African Democratic Congress, emphasising that the party alone will decide who secures its presidential ticket in 2027.
Speaking on Wednesday during an interview on Arise Television Morning Show, Momodu expressed concern over what he described as misleading narratives in the media about the party’s ownership and decision-making process.
“On the issue of ADC, I don’t think that there is anyone in our party who can say that he owns the party, not Atiku, not Obi or others,” he said. “I’m alarmed at which people come on radio and television to spill lies and rewrite our history.”
Momodu stressed that the party’s internal strategy, rather than individual influence, will determine who emerges as its presidential candidate. “ADC will determine who gets the ticket in terms of strategy, it won’t be at the dictate of one man or woman,” he added.
The former candidate also highlighted the urgency of timely action, warning that the party faces a race against the clock if it hopes to challenge President Bola Tinubu effectively. “My advice to ADC is that time is not on our side. I have attempted to contest twice and I know that the head of the elephant is not a child’s play,” Momodu noted, underlining the complexities of mounting a successful presidential campaign in Nigeria.
Momodu’s comments come amid growing speculation in political circles about the influence of prominent politicians in shaping party decisions ahead of the 2027 general elections. By asserting that the party itself, not any individual, will determine its candidate, Momodu sought to dispel rumours of backroom deals or external control.
Political analysts have observed that the ADC faces a significant challenge in positioning itself as a credible alternative to the ruling party. With less than four years until the next election, the clock is ticking for potential candidates and party strategists to mobilise support, build coalitions, and present a unified front.
Momodu’s clarifications are likely to spark further discussion about internal democracy within Nigerian political parties and the extent to which individual influence can shape party outcomes. The ADC, meanwhile, continues to position itself as a platform for collective decision-making rather than personal ambition.