Dele Momodu has criticised Peter Obi’s decision to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying the former Labour Party presidential candidate should have remained in the party to test his political strength.
Momodu, publisher of Ovation International, made the comments during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, May 6.
He was reacting to the recent defection of Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso from the ADC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). According to him, Obi missed an opportunity to demonstrate his popularity within the ADC.
“It’s a lot easier for Obi to test his popularity, but he ran away from testing that popularity because all it takes now is either consensus, so there are no delegates, or you go and do direct primaries,” Momodu said.
“When you go and do the primaries, it’s every registered party member that will vote. So if you are popular, you will get the vote. But he knows that in direct, indirect, or consensus, it will be difficult for him to beat a man who brought him to national prominence in 2019.”
Momodu also defended Atiku Abubakar’s long-standing presidential ambition, describing the former vice president as a determined and consistent politician.
“Atiku meticulously and diligently pursued his dream since around 1992/1993 and has not given up. That is the hallmark of a serious politician,” he said. “Every electoral cycle brings him closer to his destination, so I would have wished that Obi would wait and test his popularity in ADC.”
He further alleged that Obi faced pressure from his supporters, who opposed the idea of him accepting a vice-presidential role under another candidate.
“Obi is afraid of his supporters. They already told him in advance that if he agreed to be vice president to anyone, they were going to disown him,” Momodu stated.
“They said it. Aisha Yesufu said it, Pat Utomi also said it publicly. So let’s stop hiding behind one finger. Obi did not leave because of Atiku; he left because he knew he lacked the capacity to take on Atiku.”
Obi and Kwankwaso officially joined the NDC on Sunday, May 3, during a closed-door meeting with party leaders. They were received by the party’s national leader, Seriake Dickson.
Earlier, Obi explained that his decision to leave the ADC was due to worsening internal crises, external interference, and growing hostility within the party. He also described Nigeria’s political environment as increasingly toxic, citing intimidation, insecurity, and constant scrutiny as major concerns.
