During an interview on Tuesday, media entrepreneur and politician Dele Momodu dismissed growing calls for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to step aside for Peter Obi or support a possible Obi–Kwankwaso alliance ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Momodu argued that elections are not won through emotions, regional sentiments, or social media popularity, but through political structure, strategy, and voter numbers. According to him, many Nigerians mistakenly believe that a joint ticket involving Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso would automatically guarantee victory in 2027.
“Elections don’t run on emotion. It’s a shame that people don’t read. We just go on the internet and shout, ‘Once we have Obi and Kwankwaso, it is over.’ Nothing is over,” he said.
Momodu described the calls for Atiku to withdraw from the race as a coordinated political campaign. He maintained that Atiku has spent years building his political structure and has every constitutional right to remain in the contest.
“This campaign against Atiku is well-coordinated. He’s not a foolish old man; he knows that what he has built delicately, meticulously, and tenaciously, he will see it to the end. That is his business. You cannot bully him out of a contest,” he stated.
He further argued that there is no constitutional basis for demanding that Atiku step aside, unless he acts contrary to the law.
Questioning why Obi is consistently being positioned as the preferred candidate, Momodu recalled that Atiku selected Obi as his running mate during the 2019 presidential election, yet the ticket did not secure victory.
“Why can’t Obi be his Vice President? He brought Obi as VP running mate in 2019; they did not win. So, why the hurry that it must be only Obi?” he asked.
Momodu also cautioned against portraying Obi as Nigeria’s only political saviour, stressing that the country has many capable leaders and that no single politician should be elevated above others.
“I will support my Atiku. You are disrespecting people by even suggesting that he should step down for Obi; it’s an insult,” he added.
He also warned opposition supporters not to underestimate President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that the incumbent remains politically influential, especially in Northern Nigeria, where he enjoys significant support. According to Momodu, Tinubu’s northern backing played a major role in his 2023 election victory and could remain decisive in 2027.
He concluded by emphasizing that Nigerian presidential elections are determined by political calculations, voter strength, and grassroots structures rather than emotional appeal or online popularity.
