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A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has spoken on the growing rivalry among top political figures seeking the party’s presidential ticket ahead of the next general election.
Speaking during an interview on Arise News on Monday, Momodu said several prominent politicians, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Rotimi Amaechi, are all interested in clinching the ADC presidential ticket.
According to him, it is natural for ambitious politicians to compete for the ticket, stressing that no serious contender enters a race without believing they can win.
“Everyone is in the race. Atiku believes he deserves the ticket. Peter Obi believes the same, and Rotimi Amaechi also feels qualified. Nobody contests an election thinking they will lose,” Momodu said.
Despite the number of aspirants within the party, the Ovation Magazine publisher expressed confidence that the ADC would eventually unite behind one candidate after the primaries.
He noted that the party is already home to many influential politicians and insisted that once a flagbearer emerges, others would rally behind him for the sake of unity.
Reacting to suggestions that some aspirants should step down for others, Momodu dismissed the idea, stating that the party has not reached a stage where consensus arrangements should be discussed.
“There is no question of stepping down for anyone. A primary election is what determines the candidate. Consensus only comes when people voluntarily withdraw, and we are not there yet,” he explained.
However, Momodu made it clear that Atiku Abubakar remains his personal choice, describing the former vice president as a “candidate of necessity” based on experience and national appeal.
According to him, Atiku’s long political career, exposure, and electoral reach make him one of the most formidable contenders in the race.
Momodu further argued that Nigeria’s political landscape demands strategic calculations rather than emotional decisions, noting that ethnicity and regional interests would play a major role in future elections.
“The reality is that politics is a game of numbers. Every region feels aggrieved, and votes must be carefully calculated,” he said.
Addressing concerns about Atiku’s age, Momodu dismissed the argument, pointing out that similar scrutiny is rarely applied to President Bola Tinubu.
He also noted that Nigeria’s constitution does not support the idea of rotational presidency, stressing that political power is not automatically guaranteed based on geographical zoning.
On public distrust of politicians who defect from one party to another, Momodu said defections are neither illegal nor unusual within Nigeria’s political system.
He concluded by stating that defeating the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) would require experience, unity, and strong political alliances, warning that President Tinubu would not be an easy opponent to unseat.