Veteran journalist, Dele Momodu, has explained why he prefers that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar should emerge as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC.
Momodu said Atiku has the number and poses a serious threat to President Bola Tinubu ahead of 2027 general election.
He stated this during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday.
According to him, Atiku had been running his business, investing in education and agriculture, saying it is a good example of what a leader should be.
Momodu said: “I said the best choice would be my candidate. Which is what I expect the ‘Obidents’ to say, which I expect those who are supporting Rotimi Amaechi to say, there is nothing wrong with that.
“I’m looking at number one, the numbers. This game is a game of number. And the people who are most agreed today are from northern part of Nigeria.
“And if you listened to Wike very well, they are all campaigning that the next President should still come from southern Nigeria. But they know very well that there is no Southerner today. The only one who could have attempted it is Wike. And since he’s already supporting Tinubu.
“The moment you see people waging a campaign of calumny against Atiku, you must know he poses a great threat. Even my brother ( Daniel Bwala), who is about to come on now, I listened to him a few days ago appealing to Atiku to come and join their team.
“We they all know how formidable Atiku is since 1993 when he stepped down for his abducted father, who sadly died on this day in 1998, since then the man has been pursuing his ambition without having any state governor to give him money.
“He’s been running his business, investing in education, investing in agriculture. For me, this is a good example of what a leader should be.
“In Nigeria, you will never find a thug in front of Atiku’s house. For me, these are things that are presented by him, and it is my right to say those things. I’ve never asked anyone not to support Peter Obi. Obi is my very good friend today. If you ask me, one of the people that I believe should lead the coalition, it will be Obi.
“And as a Democrat, I’m appealing to them. I hope they will be able to do it democratically so that they will not say, Oh, they forced one person on them. Let us, let them all go to the fields. Let all Obedients campaign for Obi. Let all those for Atiku and Amaechi also campaign.
“So that is my belief, and I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. I’m happy that the coalition is fully ready and prepared”.
