Jonathan, Peter Obi Can’t Defeat Tinubu Without Strong Party Backing – Dele Momodu Warns

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and Ovation Magazine publisher, Dele Momodu, has advised opposition parties to unite and adopt what he termed “ethnic and religious balancing” if they hope to stand a chance against President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

In a post shared via his (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, Momodu reacted to the recent wave of defections by PDP governors — including Enugu’s Peter Mbah and Bayelsa’s Douye Diri — which, he said, have further consolidated the power of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to him, Nigeria is now teetering toward a one-party state, with the APC firmly in control of both the executive and legislative branches.

Momodu wrote:

“Nigeria has comfortably, voluntarily, and predictably cruised, senselessly, into a one-party state. Both the executive and legislative arms have finally crossed the Rubicon under the grip of the ruling party, APC.”

Despite the mass defections, the veteran journalist argued that the opposition still has a slim path to revival — but only through a strategic merger.

He explained:

“The opposition has just one option left if it wants to be competitive. Since Tinubu has already locked down the South, the opposition must work swiftly to secure the North. With strategic thinking, this is difficult but not impossible.”

Momodu also ruled out the possibility of any southern candidate, such as former President Goodluck Jonathan or former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, defeating Tinubu if they contest independently.

“I don’t see any southern candidate giving Tinubu a tough challenge. Not Jonathan. Not Peter Obi. If they run solo, they will fail spectacularly,” he added.

The PDP stalwart further suggested that the opposition should replicate the 2015-style coalition that brought APC to power, proposing a Northern Muslim presidential candidate paired with a Southern Christian running mate as the most viable ticket to challenge Tinubu’s expected Muslim-Muslim pairing.

“If the opposition is serious, it must unite and play its cards wisely — ethnic and religious cards included,” Momodu advised.

He concluded by stressing that the political game is still open, but the opposition must act with urgency and strategic precision:

“The game is not over, but it demands candidates of absolute necessity.”