Veteran journalist and publisher of Ovation International, Chief Dele Momodu, has said that neither former President Goodluck Jonathan nor former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, stands a chance of defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 general election if they run independently.
Momodu made the remark on Wednesday through a post on his official (formerly Twitter) handle, urging opposition parties to unite and strategically mobilise ahead of the next presidential poll.
According to him, the recent wave of defections by opposition governors, including Enugu State’s Peter Mbah and Bayelsa State’s Douye Diri, has tightened the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s grip on both the executive and legislative arms of government.
“Nigeria has comfortably, voluntarily, and predictably cruised, senselessly, into a one-party state,” Momodu wrote. “Both the executive and the legislative arms finally crossed the Rubicon yesterday under the grip of the ruling party, APC.”
The former PDP chieftain warned that the opposition’s chances of reclaiming power are growing slimmer by the day, stressing that only a united front can provide any real challenge to the ruling party.
“The opposition has only one option left in order to be competitive since Tinubu has already locked down the South of Nigeria. Seemingly, opposition must work speedily to lock down the North. With commonsense, this is feasible, even if difficult,” he advised.
Momodu dismissed the possibility of any Southern politician including Jonathan or Obi posing a serious challenge to Tinubu without coalition support.
“I do not see any Southern candidate giving Tinubu any tough challenge. Not former President Jonathan. Not former Governor Peter Obi. If they run, looking more like independent candidates, they will fail spectacularly,” he stated.
He further called on opposition leaders to consider adopting a pragmatic political strategy similar to the coalition that led to the formation of the APC in 2015. Momodu suggested that the most viable ticket to counter Tinubu’s likely Muslim-Muslim pairing would be a “formidable Northern Muslim presidential candidate with a popular Southern Christian running mate.”
“If opposition is serious and determined to do whatever it takes, it must first unite and decide to play the ethnic and religious cards too,” he wrote. “Opposition must pick a formidable Northern Muslim candidate with a very popular Southern Christian running mate against Tinubu’s likely Muslim/Muslim ticket.”
Despite his critical tone, Momodu expressed cautious optimism that the 2027 election could still be competitive if the opposition acts decisively and strategically.
“The game is not over,” he concluded. “But it requires candidates of absolute necessity.”
