Veteran journalist and former PDP chieftain, Dele Momodu, has declared that neither former President Goodluck Jonathan nor Labour Party’s Peter Obi stands a chance of defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election — unless the opposition radically changes its strategy.
Momodu, writing on his official X account on Wednesday, lamented that Nigeria has “comfortably, voluntarily, and predictably cruised into a one-party state,” as the All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to tighten its grip on both the executive and legislative arms of government following fresh defections, including Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Bayelsa’s Douye Diri.
Former PDP chieftain, Dele Momodu, has declared that neither former President Goodluck Jonathan nor Labour Party’s Peter Obi stands a chance of defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election unless the opposition radically changes its strategy.
Momodu, writing on his official X account on Wednesday, lamented that Nigeria has “comfortably, voluntarily, and predictably cruised into a one-party state,” as the All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to tighten its grip on both the executive and legislative arms of government following fresh defections, including Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Bayelsa’s Douye Diri.
“Both the executive and the legislative arms finally crossed the Rubicon yesterday under the grip of the ruling party, APC,” Momodu wrote.
Despite painting a bleak picture of opposition strength, the Ovation magazine publisher offered what he described as the only feasible path to victory — a coalition built on ethnic and religious balancing, akin to the merger that birthed the APC in 2015.
“The opposition has only one option left in order to be competitive. Since Tinubu has already locked down the South, opposition must work speedily to lock down the North. With commonsense, this is feasible, even if difficult,” he added.
Momodu insisted that no Southern candidate could successfully challenge Tinubu on a solo ticket:
“I do not see any Southern candidate giving Tinubu any tough challenge — not Jonathan, not Obi. If they run independently, they will fail spectacularly.”
He urged opposition blocs to unite under a Northern Muslim candidate with a popular Southern Christian running mate, arguing that this would be the most viable ticket to counter Tinubu’s likely Muslim-Muslim formula.
“If the opposition is serious and determined, it must first unite and decide to play the ethnic and religious cards too,” he wrote.
Concluding, Momodu maintained that “the game is not over,” but warned that time is running out for the fractured opposition.
“It requires candidates of absolute necessity,” he stressed.
