Veteran journalist and politician, Chief Dele Momodu, has criticised the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum for distancing itself from the newly formed opposition coalition spearheaded by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Speaking during an interview on Arise TV’s Prime Time on Monday evening, Momodu expressed disappointment with the governors’ stance, warning that their decision could inadvertently support the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The opposition coalition, reportedly involving Atiku, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, is seen as a strategic alliance to challenge the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). However, following a recent meeting in Ibadan, the PDP Governors’ Forum stated it would not be part of the coalition.
Reacting, Momodu said unity among opposition forces is critical to any meaningful political challenge in the country.
“Atiku cannot do it alone. Peter Obi cannot do it alone. Kwankwaso cannot do it alone. They must come together to counter the APC effectively,” he said.
Drawing from past political experiences, Momodu argued that APC’s 2015 electoral success was a result of similar strategic alliances. “I was among those who supported the APC back then. Today, the opposition must pay them back in their own coin by forming a broad coalition—even including disillusioned APC members,” he asserted.
He also accused some PDP governors of playing into the hands of the ruling party.
“If our governors are saying they won’t go into coalitions, it means they are probably working for a Tinubu presidency,” Momodu warned. “History shows that only a strong and united front can withstand a powerful incumbent. Lagos survived Obasanjo’s pressure back then because Tinubu stood firm and fought back.”
Momodu urged Nigerians and opposition leaders not to cower in fear of political persecution. “People panic—‘Oh, Tinubu will use the EFCC, they’ll arrest me.’ But power has never been handed over on a silver platter,” he said. “We all admire figures like Mandela and our own nationalists, but forget that they fought and sacrificed to make change happen.”
He cautioned politicians considering defecting to the ruling party, saying: “Any governor, senator, or House member who jumps ship now might as well be jumping into the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.”
He concluded with an appeal to all opposition stakeholders: “This is doable—if they agree to work together.”
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