A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has explained why he is backing Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party for a second term in Osun State.
Momodu said he would support Adeleke despite belonging to a rival opposition party. The August 15 governorship election will determine whether Adeleke secures another term in office. The former presidential aspirant disclosed his position in a statement on Tuesday. He urged opposition parties to set aside their individual interests and unite behind Adeleke ahead of the election.
Momodu stressed that he remained a proud member of the ADC. He explained that he joined the party after prominent opposition figures agreed to form a broad coalition against the All Progressives Congress.
Why Momodu joined ADC
According to Momodu, he joined the ADC because he believed the party would provide a platform for opposition forces to work together against the APC. He described the ruling party as an “APC cankerworm” that had almost destroyed Nigeria’s economy, social cohesion, religious tolerance and democratic institutions.
“I joined ADC on the basis that prominent members of opposition parties in Nigeria decided to form a broad coalition of forces against the APC cankerworm that has almost destroyed our economy, social cohesion, religious tolerance and democratic institutions and separation of powers,” the statement read.
Momodu said he had prayed against a clash of egos among opposition figures. He also hoped the coalition would not have to start afresh. According to him, the ADC had initially paraded the second, third and fourth leading candidates from the 2023 presidential election.
“I had prayed fervently against the demon, and clash, of voluptuous egos. I wished we won’t have to reinvent the wheels since the ADC initially paraded the second, third and fourth leading candidates in the 2023 presidential election,” he said.
He, however, acknowledged that the coalition did not eventually materialise as originally envisaged. Despite this, Momodu said he had not abandoned his hope that Nigerians would rise against the APC.
“Unfortunately, it did not turn out to be so. But I still did not give up on the hope that Nigerians, not just the parties, would rise up massively against the APC menace,” he said.
Why he is supporting Adeleke
Momodu said opposition parties must now confront the political reality in Osun State. He urged them to act with practical commonsense and support Adeleke despite their different party affiliations.
“It would be foolhardy not to see that with the manner APC has turned Osun State into a theater of war, the only sensible strategy is for all opposition parties to align immediately and back the Accord Party candidate, Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“I make this declaration without equivocation, or any fear of contradiction,” the statement read.
The ADC chieftain insisted that his decision was not based on friendship or family ties. He described Adeleke as a “global phenomenon” who, according to him, could defeat President Bola Tinubu in a popularity contest.
“This is not based on friendship or family ties. Governor Adeleke has been a global phenomenon who would easily defeat President Tinubu himself in a popularity contest,” he said.
Momodu also described Adeleke as “primus inter pares” among Nigerian governors. He cited the governor’s performance in several areas, including infrastructure, health, education and workers’ welfare. He further listed labour relations, internally generated revenue, agriculture, commerce, culture, women empowerment and youth integration among the areas where he believed Adeleke had performed well.
“Adeleke is primus inter pares amongst Nigerian Governors, in order of extraordinary performance in infrastructure, health, education, staff welfare, labour unions, IGR, agriculture, commerce, culture, women empowerment, youth integration, etc,” the statement read.
Momodu warns against rigging
The former presidential aspirant also warned opposition parties against creating an opportunity for the APC to manipulate the outcome of the election. He called for unity among opposition groups ahead of the August 15 poll. According to him, opposition parties must avoid actions that could weaken their chances at the polls.
Momodu said the opposition should focus on securing the electoral mandate. He urged them not to allow political differences to undermine their efforts.
“We should never supply the APC an easy alibi to rig the Osun gubernatorial election on August 15, 2026,” he said.
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