Veteran publisher and politician, Dele Momodu, has countered submissions that former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi is the best among prominent political figures in the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
He also dismissed the push from some supporters of the former Labour Party presidential candidate including the Odidient Movement that Obi must compulsorily emerge as the 2027 presidential candidate of the ADC.
Speaking on Thursday during a Channels Television interview, Momodu argued that the ADC has several prominent politicians who could emerge as the party’s 2027 presidential candidate.
According to the Ovation publisher, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar tops the list of such potential candidates with experience, followed by former Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi, before Peter Obi and many other credible potential candidates.
“When I talked about people being rambunctious, I read stories where someone was quoted as saying, “Why will the best of us always be playing second fiddle to the worst of us?
“What determines who is the worst of us?”
“Today, if you ask me, in ADC, there are prominent potential candidates. Number one on the list as of today is Alhaji Atiku Abubakar because he was a vice president, he has played at the highest level for eight years.
“He started contesting for the presidency in 1993, when he stepped down for Chief MKO Abiola in Jos,” Momodu submitted.
He also listed other figures in the coalition, including former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
He said, “The next person will be Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who has been Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly for eight years. He’s been governor for eight years, he’s been minister for years. Then, we got to Peter Obi, who has been a governor of Anambra State for two terms. There are other people, if you look towards the North, you have Malam Nasir El-Rufai, a man, whose brain is so fertile, I respect his brain so much and he is a brain box for our party. So, I don’t know where people got the idea of the worst of us.”
Momodu made the submission in reaction to comments by activist Aisha Yesufu and economist Prof Pat Utomi, who had warned that Obi would not play second fiddle and their support for the ADC could be withdrawn if Obi is not given the party’s presidential ticket.
Atiku Not The Worst
Momodu also rejected any suggestion that Atiku could be regarded as “the worst” among the aspirants.
“Atiku certainly cannot be the worst of us. He left power in 2007, he has been building his businesses, and God has blessed him with good health,” he said.
The veteran journalist insisted that the nature of the ADC coalition is not about individual superiority but those who have agreed to work together to save Nigeria.
“That cannot be a threat. You cannot threaten other potential candidates.
“We need the cooperation of everybody. That is why we call it a coalition. It is not a one-man thing, and Nigeria does not recognise independent candidacy,” Momodu said.
While acknowledging Obi’s popularity, Momodu warned against elevating one figure above others.
“Obi is a fantastic guy, a phenomenon,” he said, “but to say he is the best of all of them where you have the Atikus and the Amaechis is an insult to the rest of them.”
Call to Action:
To stay updated on this and other political developments in Nigeria, please click on the ads you see on our site. Your support helps Nigeria Political Prism deliver quality journalism and in-depth analysis. (NAN)