A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has said that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar lacks the financial resources to compete with President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Momodu, a former presidential candidate, made the claim on Sunday during a guest appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
During the interview, Momodu warned that Nigeria was on the verge of becoming a one-party state, likening the current political climate to that of former military ruler Sani Abacha.
He also said that, despite the financial disparity between the two camps, his backing for Atiku demonstrated a commitment to supporting opposition politics in Nigeria.
“I will describe this moment as being worse than that of the Abacha government. Many people are worried that we now have virtually a one-party state.
“Atiku does not have 1 per cent of Tinubu’s war chest. No, he doesn’t have it. You can imagine how much Tinubu can generate from Lagos State alone, not to talk of the nation. And when you have an absolute ruler, everything is available to him,” he said.
Momodu also dismissed insinuations that he is planning to betray Atiku, insisting that he had never attended any covert meeting without the former vice-president’s knowledge.
He said, “It’s easier for me to move to Tinubu than to move to Atiku. I’m one million times closer to Tinubu than to Atiku. In fact, people were telling Atiku that Dele is Tinubu’s spy till today. Don’t trust him.
“Dele is part of Tinubu’s strategy. He’s using him to spy on you. But there is nothing to spy on. I have not attended any secret private meeting without Atiku.
“So, if I’m with Atiku. That should show you that we are people who have a genuine interest in the country. I believe there must be opposition politics and candidates. But Tinubu wants to contest against himself. And it doesn’t make sense to me.”
The Ovation publisher also denied that opposition leaders were terrified of the president, claiming instead that the administration was afraid of Nigerians’ reactions.
Momodu also criticized the administration’s handling of the country’s economic issues, claiming that many Nigerians were suffering while the government appeared distant from reality.
“You asked who is afraid of Tinubu. I would like to answer that question. It is Tinubu who is afraid of Nigerians. That is why they are cooking all kinds of cocktails, which you call strategy.
“So, that’s why I’m telling you that nobody is afraid of him. He is the one who is afraid of Nigerians. And Nigerians have a way of fighting back. Go and read our contemporary history. Nigerians have a way of fighting back.
“Nigerians are suffering. I think the Tinubu government is living on another planet. They are not being realistic and have their own delusion of grandeur,” he added.
His comments come as opposition parties and possible candidates engage in increasing political maneuvering ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with arguments raging about the opposition’s strength and coherence against the ruling All Progressives Congress.
