Dele Momodu to Opposition: ‘Play the Ethnic and Religious Cards’ or Forget 2027 Presidency

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain and Ovation magazine publisher, Dele Momodu, has urged Nigeria’s opposition parties to form a united front and strategically “play the ethnic and religious cards” if they hope to stand any chance against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Momodu made the appeal in a statement shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday, while reacting to the latest wave of defections rocking the PDP — including those of Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah and Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri, who both dumped the party for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to him, the APC has now entrenched itself as the dominant force across both the executive and legislative arms, pushing Nigeria closer to a one-party state.

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

Despite the bleak outlook, Momodu expressed optimism that the opposition could still mount a credible challenge — but only through strategic alliances and regional balancing.

“The opposition has only one option left in order to be competitive since Tinubu has already locked down the South of Nigeria. Opposition must work speedily to lock down the North. With commonsense, this is feasible, even if difficult.”

He dismissed the chances of any Southern candidate, including former President Goodluck Jonathan or Labour Party’s Peter Obi, defeating Tinubu in a solo run.

“I do not see any Southern candidate giving Tinubu any tough challenge. Not Jonathan. Not Obi. If they run like independent candidates, they will fail spectacularly,” Momodu asserted.

The veteran journalist therefore advised opposition blocs to form a broad coalition similar to the one that birthed the APC in 2015, and to consider a Northern Muslim–Southern Christian ticket as their most viable formula for 2027.

“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. Opposition must pick a formidable Northern Muslim candidate with a very popular Southern Christian running mate against Tinubu’s likely Muslim/Muslim ticket,” he said.

Momodu concluded with a call for urgency, warning that time is running out for the opposition.

“The game is not over,” he wrote. “But it requires candidates of absolute necessity.”