NIGERIA: A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has expressed confidence that the party knows how to prevent President Bola Tinubu from securing a second term in the 2027 presidential election.
Momodu said the opposition party was working behind the scenes to challenge Tinubu’s re-election bid but declined to disclose its strategy publicly, reports Daily Sun.
The publisher of Ovation Magazine made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Wednesday.
“I can’t tell you about strategy in public. What we know is that once upon a time, Tinubu fought for himself to survive the second term as governor of Lagos State. So others are also working very hard behind the scenes,” he said.
Momodu insisted that the ADC was determined to prevent Tinubu from returning to office in 2027, adding that the party would keep its plans confidential.
“We are not going to come in public and say this, but we know what to do to make sure that he does not get that second term,” he said.
The ADC chieftain also questioned the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the Tinubu administration, alleging that the President had appointed too many people from the South-West to the electoral body.
He further claimed that many Nigerians, including supporters of the President, doubted whether the 2027 presidential election would be free and fair.
“If you ask an average Nigerian today about Tinubu, do you trust Tinubu to conduct a free and fair election? I can tell you, 90 per cent of them will say no,” Momodu said.
“Nobody trusts Tinubu to run a free and fair election, including his own supporters,” he added.
However, Momodu dismissed concerns that Tinubu might refuse to accept defeat if he lost the election, arguing that the determination of ordinary Nigerians would play a significant role in determining the outcome.
He said his confidence extended beyond the ADC to include citizens who, according to him, did not want Tinubu to secure another term.
“Look, you do not know the determination of Nigerians, and now I’m not resting my confidence on just my party. I’m talking about the ordinary man on the street who cannot imagine Tinubu coming back again,” he said.
Momodu also alleged that fear had weakened the willingness of some political office holders and public officials to challenge the President.
According to him, governors, judges and legislators were reluctant to confront Tinubu, whom he accused of wielding excessive influence over public office holders.
“Governors are scared, judges are scared, legislators are scared. So, Tinubu has become a god that nobody is ready to face and say, ‘Oga, you’ve done your best. Please go home,’” Momodu said.
His comments come as political parties and opposition figures intensify preparations for the 2027 general election, with the ADC positioning itself as part of the opposition effort to challenge Tinubu’s re-election bid.
