In a blunt assessment that reverberated across Nigeria’s political landscape, veteran politician and two-term presidential aspirant, Dele Momodu, declared on Tuesday that only a robust coalition of opposition parties stands a realistic chance of dislodging President Bola Tinubu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking as the “Guest of the Month” on a Broadcasting Corporation of Oyo State program in Ibadan, the prominent Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain did not mince words about the daunting task ahead for the opposition.
Momodu’s remarks gained particular traction given his candid confession about his own party affiliation: “my soul has already left the PDP, while only my body remained in the party.” This striking statement, suggestive of deep-seated internal frustrations, hints at a significant re-evaluation of his political future.
Despite this personal detachment, Momodu acknowledged the inherent strength of the PDP, stating, “If PDP is united, it has all that it takes to wrest power from the All Progressives Congress in 2027.” However, he quickly added a critical caveat, asserting that “forces against it would not allow this to be.”
He further alleged that the ruling APC is “jittery of the PDP,” perceiving it as the only opposition force capable of mounting a credible challenge in 2027. This, Momodu claimed, is why the APC’s leadership is actively working to fracture the PDP. “There is no way that a disunited PDP can wrest power from APC in 2027. The ideology of the ruling party is to weaken the main opposition party,” he underscored.
Momodu also pointed to internal discord within the PDP, suggesting that some members are being manipulated to “work against its stability and progress.” Yet, he stressed the party’s commitment to due process, stating, “PDP is a law-abiding party. It always follows due process before making any decision on its members. It is the law that will stimulate the process of suspending or sacking erring members.”
Ultimately, Momodu reiterated the near impossibility of unseating President Tinubu in 2027 without a powerful, unified front. He emphasized the indispensable need for a “formidable team and coalition.” Adding a strategic geographical dimension, he suggested that any viable challenger must “come from the opposite direction in terms of regions in Nigeria,” underscoring the importance of a broadly inclusive opposition ticket that transcends regional loyalties.
Momodu’s pronouncements are poised to intensify the ongoing national conversation about opposition unity, strategic alliances, and the viability of challenging the incumbent in the upcoming electoral cycle.
