Former presidential aspirant Dele Momodu has said President Bola Tinubu can be defeated in the 2027 general election if opposition parties maintain strict oversight of the Independent National Electoral Commission and field candidates with strong political capacity.
He made the assertion on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, insisting that unseating the president is achievable under the right conditions.
Momodu, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the African Democratic Congress, argued that the belief that President Tinubu is unbeatable is misplaced. He said effective monitoring of the electoral process, combined with credible candidates, could significantly alter the political landscape in favour of the opposition.
“I don’t know why people think it’s impossible that Asiwaju is not removable. Trust me, as long as we give INEC close marking, and that is why you need candidates who will be able to generate the firepower,” he said.
The politician stated that the ADC already has influential figures capable of mounting a serious challenge against the ruling All Progressives Congress. He pointed to the presence of seasoned politicians within the party who have held key national and state positions and understand the dynamics of Nigerian politics.
Momodu referenced figures such as former Sokoto State governor and ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Tambuwal, former Federal Capital Territory minister and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers State governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as part of what he described as a strong political base within the ADC.
According to him, the party’s strength does not rest on a single individual but on the collective weight of its members and their electoral appeal. He also mentioned prominent candidates from the last general election, noting the significance of their performance.
“So we have a lot of people, a rich and robust lineup in the ADC. For me, it’s not about one man. Of course, Mr Peter Obi, who INEC recorded as coming third, may be controversial, while Atiku Abubakar came second,” he added.
Momodu further argued that the ADC is strategically positioned ahead of 2027 because it already accommodates two of the top three contenders from the previous presidential election. He said this reality alone suggests that the opposition has a solid foundation to build on if internal coordination and planning are handled effectively.
“That should tell us that if we manage our affairs very well, we will already have overwhelming votes to torpedo the APC,” he said.
He maintained that the opposition has both the momentum and the political reach to confront the APC directly, even in areas traditionally considered strongholds of the ruling party. According to him, success will depend largely on organization, transparency, and vigilance throughout the electoral process.
Momodu concluded by stressing that global experience shows elections tend to be peaceful and credible when they are professionally conducted and transparently managed, suggesting that Nigeria could achieve similar outcomes if institutions and political actors play their roles responsibly.
What you should know
Dele Momodu believes the 2027 presidential election is wide open if opposition parties can unite, present strong candidates, and closely monitor INEC.
He argues that the African Democratic Congress is well-positioned due to the presence of influential political figures and past top-performing presidential candidates.
According to him, effective management of the opposition’s internal affairs and a transparent electoral process could significantly weaken the APC’s dominance and make President Bola Tinubu vulnerable at the polls.
