Dele Momodu cautions againstover‑reliance on Peter Obi

Dele Momodu, a senior figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), warned Nigerians not to pin all their expectations for the 2027 presidential election on Peter Obi, the former Labour Party candidate.

Speaking on ARISE NEWS on Tuesday, Momodu said that the intense focus on Obi and the continuing zoning debate are diverting attention from urgent national problems, including insecurity, unreliable electricity, and weak governance.

He argued that political discussion has been reduced to questions of regional identity instead of competence and practical solutions.

“I’m not going to be bogged into this zoning brouhaha because I’ve realized that it is a deliberate distraction from the important issues that we should be discussing,” Momodu said.

“Instead of us now discussing we have no electricity, security is nil, and so on and so forth, all we’re now talking about is where a man comes from. I think it’s like someone has hypnotized us,” he added.

Momodu accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of deliberately stoking the zoning debate to preserve its hold on power in 2027. He said President Bola Tinubu has promoted a North‑versus‑South narrative to split the opposition.

He added that, although zoning may have political relevance, the constitution does not bar any Nigerian from contesting the presidency on the basis of region.

Regarding a potential alliance between Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, Momodu rejected the notion that such a partnership would automatically secure victory, emphasizing that elections are won through organisational structure, voter numbers, and strategic planning rather than online popularity.

The article first appeared on Vanguard News.