By Peter Omopo
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar does not possess the financial strength to compete with President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Momodu, a veteran journalist and former presidential aspirant, made the statement on Sunday while appearing on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television.
During the interview, he argued that Atiku lacks even one per cent of the campaign resources available to Tinubu, noting that the president has enormous financial advantages.
According to him, the current political environment in Nigeria appears to be drifting towards a one-party system, which he compared to the era of former military ruler Sani Abacha.
He said many Nigerians are increasingly worried about the state of the country’s democracy and the shrinking space for opposition politics.
Momodu said despite the financial imbalance between both political camps, he continues to support Atiku because he believes in sustaining strong opposition politics in Nigeria.
He stated that the former vice president cannot match the financial power that Tinubu could mobilise, particularly given the president’s influence and access to resources.
Momodu said Tinubu could generate substantial campaign funds from Lagos State alone, adding that a sitting president often has access to enormous political advantages.
The ADC chieftain also dismissed suggestions that he could betray Atiku politically, insisting that he has never attended any secret meeting without the knowledge of the former vice president.
He explained that although he shares a closer personal relationship with Tinubu, his political decision to support Atiku reflects his conviction about the need for credible opposition in Nigeria.
Momodu said some people had previously warned Atiku not to trust him, alleging that he was secretly working for Tinubu, but he maintained that there was no truth to such claims.
He stressed that his association with Atiku demonstrates his commitment to the survival of opposition politics and competitive democracy in the country.
Momodu also rejected the idea that opposition politicians were afraid of the president, arguing instead that the government itself fears the reaction of Nigerians.
According to him, Nigerians are currently facing serious economic hardship and the government appears disconnected from the realities confronting citizens.
He added that Nigerians have a history of responding strongly when pushed to the limits, warning that public frustration could eventually translate into political consequences.
Momodu said the Tinubu administration appears to be living in denial about the severity of the country’s economic challenges and accused the government of maintaining what he described as a sense of unrealistic confidence.
His remarks come amid increasing political manoeuvring and realignments among opposition parties and key political figures as the country gradually moves towards the 2027 presidential election.
