Why I’m Backing Adeleke Despite Being ADC Member — Dele Momodu

African Democratic Congress (ADC) stalwart Dele Momodu has declared his support for Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party as he seeks a second term in Osun State, despite maintaining his membership in an opposing political platform.

Momodu made this disclosure via a public release on Tuesday, emphasizing that opposition groups must prioritize collective goals and unite behind Adeleke ahead of the upcoming Osun gubernatorial ballot scheduled for August 15.

The veteran media personality and former presidential contender affirmed his continued allegiance to the ADC.

He clarified that his decision to join the party stemmed from an initiative where key opposition figures sought to forge a united front against what he termed the “APC cankerworm.”

“I joined ADC on the basis that prominent members of opposition parties in Nigeria decided to form a broad coalition of forces against the APC cankerworm that has almost destroyed our economy, social cohesion, religious tolerance and democratic institutions and separation of powers,” the statement read.

Momodu noted that he had actively prayed against conflicts arising from inflated egos among political leaders.

He expressed a desire to build upon existing political structures, pointing out that the ADC previously featured prominent figures who secured strong placements in the 2023 presidential race.

“I had prayed fervently against the demon, and clash, of voluptuous egos. I wished we won’t have to reinvent the wheels since the ADC initially paraded the second, third and fourth leading candidates in the 2023 presidential election,” he stated.

Nevertheless, he acknowledged that the anticipated alliance failed to materialize as originally planned.

Despite this setback, he maintained optimism that the general populace would challenge the ruling party.

“Unfortunately, it did not turn out to be so. But I still did not give up on the hope that Nigerians, not just the parties, would rise up massively against the APC menace,” he said.

Momodu asserted that political actors must face current realities with practical wisdom, noting that his cross-party endorsement was driven entirely by local dynamics in Osun State.

“It would be foolhardy not to see that with the manner APC has turned Osun State into a theater of war, the only sensible strategy is for all opposition parties to align immediately and back the Accord Party candidate, Governor Ademola Adeleke.

“I make this declaration without equivocation, or any fear of contradiction,” the statement added.

He stressed that personal relationships or familial connections played no role in his endorsement of the governor.

Instead, he characterized Adeleke as an international sensation capable of outperforming President Bola Tinubu in any public popularity test.

“This is not based on friendship or family ties. Governor Adeleke has been a global phenomenon who would easily defeat President Tinubu himself in a popularity contest,” he remarked.

Furthermore, Momodu lauded Adeleke as a leader standing out among his peers nationwide, pointing to achievements spanning diverse governance sectors.

“Adeleke is primus inter pares amongst Nigerian Governors, in order of extraordinary performance in infrastructure, health, education, staff welfare, labour unions, IGR, agriculture, commerce, culture, women empowerment, youth integration, etc,” according to the statement.

Momodu cautioned rival political factions against creating opportunities for the ruling party to manipulate the electoral process.

“We should never supply the APC an easy alibi to rig the Osun gubernatorial election on August 15, 2026,” he warned.