Dele Momodu, a senior figure in the African Democratic Congress, has publicly rebuked Professor Pat Utomi after Utomi suggested he would withdraw support for Peter Obi if the former Labour Party candidate accepted a vice-presidential slot in any emerging opposition coalition.
Speaking on his verified X account, Momodu described Utomi’s position as undemocratic and at odds with the pragmatic demands of Nigerian politics. He said anyone who insists that Obi cannot serve as a running mate “is definitely not a Democrat who wishes to rescue Nigeria from one man dictatorship.”
Nigerian politics at a crossroads
Momodu acknowledged his long-standing respect for Utomi, calling him “one of the brightest Nigerians I love and respect,” but argued that intellectual standing alone does not guarantee electoral success in Nigeria. He urged political actors to favour strategic realism over rigid idealism when negotiating alliances ahead of the 2027 election.
“Politics in Nigeria does not always mirror global democratic models,” Momodu wrote. He highlighted the country’s complex electoral dynamics, where voting patterns are frequently influenced by regional loyalties and other local factors. “My candid view is that every nation must have its own organic strategies while it may study and borrow ideas from elsewhere. The Nigerian topography is an abnormal configuration,” he added.
Momodu pointed to recent history to illustrate his argument. He noted that former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar elevated Obi to a national platform by selecting him as a running mate in 2019, a move that helped propel Obi into wider public prominence. He also cited the 2023 contest, where the All Progressives Congress chose Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the more cerebral Yemi Osinbajo as its flagbearer, arguing that parties often prioritise perceived electability.
The publisher and former presidential aspirant warned that insisting on purity of principle at the cost of practical alliances may harm the broader opposition’s chances. He dismissed the idea that superior intellect alone wins elections, saying the reality of Nigerian contests requires candidates who can navigate the country’s political fault lines.
For his part, Utomi had told Channels Television that accepting the vice-presidential position would be a deal-breaker for him in terms of supporting Obi. The intervention by Momodu highlights an internal debate within opposition ranks about how to build a viable coalition capable of challenging the incumbent party in 2027.
Momodu concluded by advising Obi to focus on party building and loyalty within the African Democratic Congress. “Obi should be encouraged to be a humble party man,” he wrote, urging discipline and unity as the opposition seeks to present a credible alternative.
The exchange between two prominent figures underscores the strategic questions facing opposition leaders as they weigh power-sharing arrangements, regional balance and electoral arithmetic. How the debate evolves may shape coalition decisions in the lead-up to 2027.
Key Takeaways:
- Dele Momodu criticised Pat Utomi for ruling out Peter Obi as a possible running mate, calling such a stance undemocratic.
- Momodu stressed that Nigerian politics requires strategic realism over rigid idealism and cited past examples, including Obi’s rise as a former running mate.
- The dispute highlights tensions within the emerging opposition coalition as parties position ahead of the 2027 ticket.
- Momodu urged Obi to remain focused and loyal to the African Democratic Congress to strengthen party unity.
