A stalwart of the African Democratic Congress, (ADC), and veteran journalist, Bashorun Dele Momodu, has accused President Bola Tinubu of presiding over a level of political consolidation worse than that witnessed under former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, alleging that the president has virtually taken control of the executive, legislature and judiciary.
Speaking with Arise News on Wednesday, Momodu said the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council was reminiscent of the Abacha era, describing it as an elitist display aimed at consolidating political power around Tinubu.
“What else can one expect from Tinubu and the APC? This is reminiscent of the Abacha era.
“What I know is that the history of Nigeria recorded a man called General Sani Abacha. And when Sani Abacha wanted to be a life president, he did exactly what President Tinubu did today. And that is, to cause, that’s the word, bring everybody—but it is just an elitist show off. Very elitist.”
Momodu argued that the existence of opposition parties such as the ADC and NDC reflects the struggle for political pluralism in Nigeria. He recalled that Tinubu’s camp had previously opposed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s attempt to bring political actors under one roof, but accused Tinubu of presiding over an even greater concentration of political power.
“It is because we fought for it. Tinubu’s camp once fought then-President Olusegun Obasanjo when he attempted to bring everybody under the same roof. He stood alone. And that is why a lot of people felt, ‘Oh, this is a progressive governor, this is a very strong man, very brave.’ But everything he did has since evaporated. He is far worse than what Abacha did. Is that a fair assessment? No.
“Today, Tinubu has virtually taken over everything: the executive, the legislature, the judiciary, almost everything under Tinubu is worse than what we fought against in the past.”
He also claimed that some members of the APC were privately apprehensive about Tinubu’s possible return to office in 2027, alleging that they feared political oppression would intensify if he secured a second term. Momodu added that the president’s policies had deferred several issues to next year, without specifying which matters he was referring to.
“People are so scared of Tinubu. The majority of my friends are in APC, I say this all the time. You need to listen to them behind the scene; they are the same. They are all scared, and some of them are even praying privately that Tinubu will not come back in 2027 because they know the oppression will continue and get worse. A lot of things now have been deferred by Tinubu to next year.”
Momodu also questioned whether governors’ endorsements of Tinubu would translate into votes, arguing that political support from elected officials does not automatically guarantee the loyalty of their constituents. Citing Anambra State as an example, he expressed confidence that voters could reject Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s position and maintain their support for NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
“That is not true. I am partly from Ogun, my mother came from Ogun, and I can tell you that Ogun people are amongst the most brilliant human beings you will ever find in Nigeria. And they are very serious about their democracy. They supported Adetilewa because he performed. But that support is not unconditional. I can guarantee you, if he tells them today to vote for Tinubu, they will go against him, and they will go against Tinubu.
“And I can tell you something: Soludo is the same. I can bet my life on it that Peter Obi will humiliate and disgrace Soludo in Anambra State.”
On the 2027 elections, Momodu described Peter Obi as a major political force in the Southeast and South-South, claiming that the former Anambra governor could deal a significant electoral blow to Tinubu and his supporters in the regions. He argued that Tinubu would need strong support across all three southern geopolitical zones while also competing for votes in the North.
“Peter Obi is a rock star where he comes from, especially in the Southeast and the South South. I’m supporting Atiku, but I would be very happy—when people say, ‘Oh, if you people don’t come together, you’re going to lose the election,’ the scenario is different this time.
“Peter Obi will humiliate Tinubu and all his supporters in the Southeast and some parts of the South South, and that is dangerous for Tinubu.
“For Tinubu to win, he needs to lock down all the three regions in the South, and now he has to go and struggle in the North.”
Arguing that political endorsements by governors do not guarantee electoral support, Momodu said Nigerians are facing greater economic hardship than in 2023, while citing the electoral losses suffered by some members of the G-5 governors’ group despite their political influence.
He also questioned the influence of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, pointing to the losses suffered by some members of the G-5 governors’ group in their senatorial bids after the 2023 elections. Momodu accused Wike of using money and intimidation against political opponents, while suggesting that the ruling party’s growing support among politicians did not necessarily reflect genuine voter loyalty.
“Today, an average Nigerian—this is no longer about APC now—an average Nigerian is poorer today than he or she was in 2023. So the people Tinubu has to face now are Nigerians in droves. And we are already seeing it, and I’m sure on social media, if you want to see a reflection of what a country looks or feels like, you will see it on social media. Today, Tinubu is being attacked from every corner of Nigeria and majorly from his own tribe.
“Yes, Wike was around last time in 2023 with his G-5 governors. There were five of them. Three out of five contested just to be senators. Benue governor lost his senatorial bid, he was a sitting governor. Enugu State governor lost his senatorial bid, he was a sitting governor. Abia State governor lost his senatorial bid, he was a sitting governor. The only man who escaped by the whiskers was Seyi Makinde in Oyo state, out of the G-5.
“Wike’s bravo, we all know what it’s all about. It’s about spending money and then using all kinds of subterranean forces to intimidate and bully his opponents. Just like they did to even the governor, Fubara.”
Dismissing the APC’s growing political support as an “optical illusion”, Momodu argued that the ruling party’s show of strength does not reflect genuine voter support, accusing Tinubu of failing to deliver on his promises and describing his decision not to campaign nationwide as a “red flag”.
“What APC is doing is all about optics, and it’s an optical illusion. It’s not real. Today, Tinubu has been completely demystified. It is a shame. Look, I personally would have supported him if he performed. But there is no performance. Everybody is crying, and it can only be worse.
“So a man who already is telling us, ‘I cannot go around campaigning, I’ve been advised not to campaign, and I’ve accepted their suggestion and advice’—that’s a red flag!”
On opposition unity ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Momodu described former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the most formidable opposition candidate, arguing that his support across the northern states could put him in a strong position. He also urged Peter Obi to remain in the race, saying the NDC presidential candidate’s presence in the South could challenge Tinubu’s support in the region.
“The only man, the only formidable candidate and opposition leader today is Atiku Abubakar. He is the only one from the northern regions of Nigeria: Northwest, Northeast, North Central. He will definitely get his 25 percent from all those, that’s 19—19 states from those religious zones. Then you have 17 in the South. And all it needs would just be about six, seven more states. He will coast home to victory.
“Tinubu now has to divide the South with Peter Obi. So, in fact, I am imploring Peter Obi to continue, to torment Tinubu in the South.”
The ADC chieftain said his assessment of the 2027 race was based on the political landscape, arguing that Obi’s continued candidacy could split southern votes with Tinubu and boost Atiku’s chances.
“It so happens that strategically, you could see that APC, they were trying to beg or to force Peter Obi out of the race recently. But the more it became stubborn, the better for us. So which means you have a lone formidable—there’s nobody more experienced, more formidable than Atiku since 1993. He’s been running, and he’s been consistent, and he’s been focused. So today, you have two people in three regions with 17 states in the South vying for the same thing, and you want them to compete a lone contender from the North?”
Alleging that Tinubu had populated INEC with people of Yoruba origin, Momodu questioned the commission’s neutrality, claiming that Nigerians, including some of the president’s supporters, doubted his commitment to a free and fair election.
“He has populated INEC with people from Yoruba land. 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 percent of it will say no.
“Nobody trusts Tinubu to run a free and fair election, including his own supporters.”
He, however, declined to disclose the ADC’s strategy for preventing Tinubu’s re-election, saying efforts were ongoing behind the scenes. Momodu also alleged that governors, judges and legislators were afraid to challenge the president, adding that Nigerians were eager for a change in leadership.
“Don’t worry. I can’t tell you our strategy in public. What we know is that once upon a time, Tinubu fought for himself to survive his second term as governor of Lagos State. So others are also working very hard behind the scenes. We’re 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.
“And we also know that some of the people pretending to be supporting him today—and I’m not trying to trivialize this thing, I know some of them. They are praying fervently that they will not have to go through this thing where governors become like houseboys. Governors are scared, judges are scared, legislators are scared. How about that?
“Nigerians are desperately looking for a day they can say, ‘Ah, thank God!'”
Defending Atiku’s credentials, Momodu described him as the most experienced politician in the 2027 race, citing his tenure as vice-president and record in business and public service.
He argued that Atiku would uphold democracy, dismissing criticism over PDP zoning by insisting that the Nigerian Constitution takes precedence over the party’s constitution.
“Atiku is the most experienced politician in the race today. He was Vice President from 1999 to 2007. He has managed himself in public life, in private life. There are not many politicians like him who left power since 2007 and have been able to manage their private businesses effectively. And that’s all it takes. Leadership is about managing people and resources. He’s done that. And when he was in government, we all saw how spectacular he was. And once and for all, I can assure you that Atiku will give you true democracy.
“The constitution of Nigeria is above every other constitution. And that is it. Atiku has not flouted the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
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