Dele Momodu, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has said an opposition alliance featuring Atiku Abubakar and a southern political figure could defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
Momodu said a coalition ticket pairing Atiku with a prominent politician from the South, such as Peter Obi or Rotimi Amaechi, could significantly weaken the ruling party’s chances.
“I am convinced that if we have a partnership with Atiku, possibly with Peter Obi, perhaps with Rotimi Amaechi, or any other individual from the South, Tinubu will be finished,” Momodu said during an appearance on Sunday Politics on Channels Television.
“This would mark the end of Tinubu’s foundation, not the APC,” he added.
Momodu argued that Atiku’s long-standing political ambition and experience make him a strong contender if he emerges as the opposition’s candidate.
He also suggested that some people who previously opposed Atiku may now view him more favourably in the context of building a broad opposition coalition.
Drawing a comparison, Momodu referenced Donald Trump, saying critics once doubted Trump’s chances due to his age but he still returned to power.
According to Momodu, strong opposition politics is essential for a healthy democracy, adding that it would be problematic if the president faced weak or fragmented opposition.
He also expressed concern about the growing number of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) since Tinubu assumed office.
Momodu described the situation as troubling for Nigeria’s democracy, warning that it could become dangerous if the PDP is left with only a few governors across the country.
Atiku, Obi and Amaechi, who contested the 2023 presidential election under different political platforms, have recently been involved in discussions aimed at forming a united opposition front to challenge the APC in the 2027 elections.
