Media entrepreneur Dele Momodu has argued that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi would have been in a stronger political position if he had remained in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to test his popularity rather than defecting to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Momodu made the statement on Wednesday while appearing on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where he reacted to the recent departure of Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso from the ADC to the NDC.
According to him, Obi missed a major opportunity to measure his political influence within the internal structure of the ADC and prove his electoral strength through the party’s primary process.
He said, “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.
“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 used the opportunity to praise former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, commending what he described as his long-standing determination and consistency in pursuing the presidency.
“Atiku meticulously and diligently pursued his dream since around 1992/1993 and has not given up. That is the hallmark of a serious politician.
“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 stated.
The media figure further alleged that Obi’s political decisions were shaped by pressure from his supporters, especially over concerns that he might accept a vice-presidential slot 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.
“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,” he said.
Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso formally exited the ADC for the NDC on Sunday, a move that has continued to generate reactions across the political landscape.
Obi had explained that his decision to leave the ADC, which he joined in December 2025 after leaving the Labour Party, was influenced by growing internal disputes, external interference, and rising tensions within the party’s leadership structure.
The latest comments from Momodu add another layer to the ongoing debate surrounding Obi’s political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections, as opposition realignments continue to reshape Nigeria’s political space.
What You Should Know
Dele Momodu’s remarks reflect growing debate over Peter Obi’s strategic decisions ahead of 2027.
While critics argue Obi missed a chance to prove his popularity through ADC primaries, supporters maintain his defection to the NDC was necessary due to internal instability within the party.
The comments also highlight Atiku Abubakar’s continued influence within opposition politics and the wider contest for leadership among anti-APC forces.
As political alliances continue to shift, Obi’s next steps within the NDC will be closely watched as a key indicator of his presidential ambitions and his ability to maintain the support base that emerged during the 2023 election cycle.
