Lagos — Dele Momodu, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has criticised calls by supporters of former Anambra State governor Peter Obi insisting he must emerge as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 elections.
Speaking on Channels Television on Thursday, Momodu said such demands are disrespectful to other leaders within the coalition. The comments come after rights activist Aisha Yesufu and economist Prof Pat Utomi, both allies of Obi, suggested their support could be withdrawn if the former governor is not given the ADC presidential ticket.
Yesufu had described Obi as “the best” among political figures in the ADC and argued he should not “play second fiddle” to anyone—a view previously echoed by Utomi.
Reacting, Momodu described the narrative from sections of the Obidient movement as divisive and dismissive of other prominent figures in the party.
“When I read stories quoting someone saying, ‘Why will the best of us always be playing second fiddle to the worst of us?’ I wondered—what determines who is the worst of us?” Momodu asked.
He highlighted the experience of other leading figures in the coalition, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Rivers State governor and minister Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai.
“Today, ADC has several prominent potential candidates. Number one on the list is Alhaji Atiku Abubakar. He served as vice president for eight years and has been active in politics since 1993. Then you have Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, who has served as Speaker, governor, and minister. Peter Obi has also contributed significantly as a two-term governor of Anambra State. And in the North, Malam Nasir El-Rufai is a respected brainbox for the party,” Momodu said.
He dismissed suggestions that Atiku could be considered the “worst” among aspirants and rejected Utomi’s threat to withdraw support for Obi. “That cannot be a threat. You cannot threaten other potential candidates,” he stressed.
Momodu further emphasised the coalition nature of the ADC, warning against elevating one figure above others. “Obi is a fantastic guy, a phenomenon,” he said. “But to say he is the best of all, where you have the Atikus and the Amaechis, is an insult to the rest of them.”
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