Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine and a chieftain of the African Democratic Party (ADC), says it would be “almost impossible” for any southern presidential candidate to defeat President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 election.
Speaking during an interview on News Central TV on Wednesday, Momodu argued that opposition parties should focus more on electoral strategy than zoning debates.
According to him, zoning is not recognised by the Nigerian constitution and remains only an internal political arrangement among parties.
“Zoning is not in the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
“Zoning is a private arrangement between party members.”
The media entrepreneur distinguished zoning from the constitutional principle of federal character.
“Federal character is different from zoning,” he said.
“You have to win power first before you start talking about federal character.”
Momodu defended Atiku Abubakar over criticisms surrounding his comments on zoning and opposition strategy.
“What Atiku Abubakar has said is very, very true,” he said.
According to him, the main objective of opposition parties should be to remove the ruling party from power rather than insisting on regional considerations.
“What is the point of saying it is the turn of A or B when they cannot win election?” he asked.
A SOUTHERN CANDIDATE WILL STRUGGLE TO WIN TINUBU
Drawing from his assessment of the 2023 presidential election, Momodu said a southern candidate would struggle to defeat Tinubu politically.
“What I know for a fact from studying the 2023 general election is that it will be almost impossible for a southerner to defeat Tinubu,” he said.
He added that his position was based on political calculations rather than sentiment.
“What I see here is emotional,” he said.
The publisher also dismissed the controversy surrounding the exit of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
“Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso have already deleted themselves from ADC,” he said.
Momodu added that no aspirant had been guaranteed the party’s presidential ticket.
According to him, the ADC currently has three strong presidential hopefuls.
“Right now, we have three very formidable aspirants in ADC,” he said.
“Atiku, Chibuike Amaechi, and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen. Any of them can be president of Nigeria.”
