Publisher of Ovation Magazine and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has predicted that the 2027 presidential election will be a direct contest between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, dismissing the likelihood of any third-force movement significantly altering the political landscape.
Momodu made the assertion in a statement titled “Time for National Reconciliation, Re-Orientation & Reconstruction,” which he shared on his X account on Monday.
According to him, Nigeria’s political terrain is gradually taking shape ahead of the 2027 general election, with the incumbent president and the former vice president emerging as the two dominant figures expected to lead the contest.
“The 2027 Presidential election is expected to be a major fight between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his biggest challenger, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. It promises to be the battle of the Titans,” Momodu stated.
While acknowledging the possibility of another third-force movement emerging, similar to what was witnessed during the 2023 election, he expressed doubts about its ability to challenge the influence and political structures of the leading contenders.
“A third force, hopefully, may show up, like it did in 2023, but not with enough firepower and tenacity to upstage and obliterate the two elder statesmen,” he added.
The remarks have sparked political debate, particularly as they appear to downplay the prospects of other opposition figures, including Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, who remains a key voice within Nigeria’s opposition bloc.
Beyond electoral projections, Momodu urged the ADC to position itself as a bridge between Nigeria’s old political order and a new generation of leaders. He advocated a strategic blend of experienced politicians and technocrats to foster national unity and strengthen democratic governance.
He also cautioned against rising ethnic and religious tensions, warning that the country’s political atmosphere could become increasingly volatile if divisive sentiments are allowed to flourish.
“The North and the South will reunite in a game of ethnic and religious rivalries. The present combustive tensions and absolute chaos cannot be allowed to continue. It will consume all of us,” he warned.
Momodu further lamented what he described as the decline of ideology, statesmanship and value-driven leadership in Nigeria’s democratic space. He called on political actors to embrace reconciliation, national unity and a return to the ideals championed by the nation’s founding leaders, including Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello and Obafemi Awolowo.
He maintained that only through collective responsibility, purposeful leadership and political maturity can Nigeria overcome its current challenges and chart a path toward sustainable development ahead of the 2027 elections.
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