2027 Presidential Election: Dele Momodu Says Jonathan, Obi Can’t Defeat Tinubu

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and publisher of Ovation magazine, Dele Momodu, has predicted that neither former President Goodluck Jonathan nor Labour Party flag bearer in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, can defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential poll.

Momodu made this known in a statement posted on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday while reacting to the recent defections of some top opposition figures, including Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The media mogul lamented that the APC had effectively consolidated power across the political space, with both the executive and legislative arms now under its full control.

“Nigeria has comfortably, voluntarily, and predictably cruised senselessly into a one-party state. Both the executive and the legislative arms finally crossed the Rubicon yesterday under the grip of the ruling party, APC,” Momodu wrote.

He noted that unless the opposition forms a strong, united coalition similar to the alliance that produced the APC in 2015, defeating Tinubu in 2027 would be nearly impossible.

“The opposition has only one option left in order to be competitive. Since Tinubu has already locked down the South of Nigeria, the opposition must work speedily to lock down the North. With commonsense, this is feasible, even if difficult,” he added.

According to Momodu, the only viable strategy for the opposition is to field a formidable Northern Muslim presidential candidate with a popular Southern Christian running mate capable of countering Tinubu’s influence.

“I do not see any Southern candidate giving Tinubu any tough challenge — not former President Jonathan, not Peter Obi. If they run like independent candidates, they will fail spectacularly,” he declared.

Momodu maintained that the 2027 race is not yet decided but cautioned that time is running out for the opposition to close ranks and strategize effectively.

“If the opposition is serious and determined to do whatever it takes, it must first unite and decide to play the ethnic and religious cards too. It requires candidates of absolute necessity,” he concluded.