MOMODU SLAMS OBIDENTS: “CALLING OBI ‘BEST OF US’ DISRESPECTS OTHER ADC LEADERS”
Read Time:2 Minute, 51 Second
By: Balogun Ibrahim
African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Dele Momodu has criticized supporters of former Anambra State governor Peter Obi for insisting he should be the party’s presidential candidate in the 2027 election.
Momodu said it is disrespectful to other ADC leaders when Obidients describe Obi as “the best” among the party’s leadership.
The Media reported that Momodu made the remarks on Thursday, responding to comments from rights activist Aisha Yesufu and economist Prof. Pat Utomi, both allies of Peter Obi, who had warned that they might withdraw their support if Obi is not granted the ADC presidential ticket.
Yesufu had claimed that Obi is “the best” among ADC political figures and should not “play second fiddle” to anyone in the coalition, a view previously echoed by Prof. Pat Utomi.
In response, Momodu described the narrative from some Obidient supporters as divisive and dismissive of other key figures in the party.
“When I spoke about people being rambunctious, I came across a quote asking, ‘Why will the best of us always be playing second fiddle to the worst of us?’” Momodu said.
“What defines who is the worst of us?” the Ovation Magazine publisher questioned.
He called such remarks insulting, emphasizing that the ADC is comprised of several experienced and capable political leaders.
“Today, if you ask me, the ADC has several prominent potential candidates. At the top of the list is Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, who served as vice president and has experience operating at the highest level for eight years,” he said.
Momodu highlighted Atiku’s extensive political career, noting that he first contested for the presidency as far back as 1993.
“He first contested for the presidency in 1993, stepping down for Chief MKO Abiola in Jos,” Momodu added.
He also highlighted other key figures in the coalition, including former Rivers State governor and minister Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai.
“The next person would be Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who served eight years as Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, eight years as governor, and years as a minister. Then we have Peter Obi, who served two terms as governor of Anambra State. Looking to the North, there’s Malam Nasir El-Rufai, a man with an incredibly fertile mind—I greatly respect his intellect, and he is a real brain box for our party. So, I don’t know where people get the idea of the ‘worst of us,’” he said.
Rejecting any notion that Atiku could be considered the least among the aspirants, Momodu said, “Atiku certainly cannot be the worst of us. He left office in 2007, has been building his businesses, and God has blessed him with good health.”
Momodu also rejected Prof. Utomi’s warning to withdraw support if Obi is not selected as the party’s candidate, saying, “That cannot be a threat. You cannot threaten other potential candidates.”
Highlighting the coalition’s structure, he added, “We need everyone’s cooperation. That is why we call it a coalition. It is not a one-man show, and Nigeria does not recognise independent candidacy.”
While acknowledging Obi’s popularity, Momodu cautioned against elevating a single figure above others.
“Obi is a fantastic individual, a phenomenon,” he said, “but to claim he is the best of all, when you have figures like Atiku and Amaechi, is an insult to the rest of them.”
Happy
0 %
Sad
0 %
Excited
0 %
Sleepy
0 %
Angry
0 %
Surprise
0 %
0
0