Dele Momodu, a former presidential candidate and a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has emphasized the necessity for the opposition to nominate a popular northern candidate to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Speaking on Arise TV on Wednesday, Momodu assessed the current political climate and suggested that the northern region feels marginalized under Tinubu’s administration due to perceived favoritism towards the south.
He believes that this discontent could galvanize northern voters and that a strong northern candidate is “crucial” for the opposition to unite and defeat Tinubu.
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Momodu highlighted the strategic importance of the North in presidential elections and lamented the decline of principled discourse and the rise of opportunism in Nigerian politics. “I believe Tinubu can only be effectively countered by another strong candidate from the North. Any Southerner who thinks they can challenge Tinubu is likely wasting their time. The PDP, or any coalition, must recognise that power dynamics require strategic thinking. They cannot expect success with a Southern candidate alone if they truly wish to contest Tinubu’s position,” he said.
He suggested that a united front, including influential northern figures like Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, could enhance the opposition’s chances. “We are witnessing a split within the PDP. Half of its members are involved in coalition talks, while the other half remain loyal to the party. This creates confusion. I recently spoke with our governor in Bauchi, who believes we shouldn’t abandon the PDP but should instead work to attract others to it. However, if the PDP resists change and chooses to remain stagnant, what options remain? A collapse of the party might need to be considered,” he stated.
Momodu warned that the PDP could face extinction if it fails to learn from history. “Historically, many parties have faded away. Look at the UPN or the NPN—where are they now? Even the AD, which started in Lagos, has all but vanished. The PDP could be on a similar path unless significant reforms are undertaken,” he said.
Defending Atiku Abubakar’s integrity, Momodu stated, “I saw people in Delta celebrating their alignment with the mainstream, but I wonder what tangible benefits have been delivered to the people over the years. For two decades, PDP founding members have been trying to connect with the populace—akin to linking electricity to the national grid—yet the results remain elusive. The claim that Atiku will join the APC is simply implausible; I can guarantee that. The APC itself is riddled with internal problems, lacking the discipline or cohesion to address critical issues.”
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