Momodu: No Certainty Atiku Will Beat Obi in Primaries Ahead of 2027

|By Chinwendu Nwani

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has cast doubt on the chances of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar defeating Peter Obi in a future party primary, saying there is no guarantee of victory.

Momodu made the remarks on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, as political realignments gather pace ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He spoke amid reports of Obi’s defection from the ADC to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), a move that signals shifting alliances within the opposition.

“There is no guarantee that Atiku will defeat Obi at the primaries,” Momodu said.

He stressed that political contests should be open and competitive, adding that no aspirant should be imposed on the system.

“Obi is not my enemy. It is good that he goes to test his popularity elsewhere, and others should do the same. But you cannot force Atiku,” he said.

Momodu also questioned assumptions about voter loyalty, arguing that past electoral support does not automatically translate into future victories.

“How are you sure Atiku will retain all those who voted for him the last time? What is the guarantee that Obi and Kwankwaso will retain their supporters?” he asked.

He added that Nigeria’s political landscape has evolved significantly, warning that no candidate should rely solely on previous performance.

Referring to President Bola Tinubu, Momodu suggested that a free and fair election could produce unexpected outcomes.

“The situation has changed. Tinubu today, if he allows a free and fair election, might not even get three million votes,” he said.