Media entrepreneur Dele Momodu has asserted that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) because he lacked the capacity to compete against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the party’s internal processes.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Momodu reacted to the recent defection of Obi and former Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), stating that Obi missed a critical opportunity to demonstrate his true political standing within the ADC.
“It’s a lot easier for Obi to test his popularity, but he ran away from testing that popularity,” Momodu said. “Whether through consensus, indirect primaries, or direct voting where every registered member participates, he knew it would be difficult to beat a man who brought him to national prominence in 2019.”
He further alleged that Obi’s decision was also influenced by pressure from his supporters, particularly over discussions about potentially serving as a running mate to another candidate. “Obi is afraid of his supporters. He did not leave because of any other reason; he left because he knew he couldn’t take on Atiku,” Momodu added.
The media figure also praised Atiku’s long-standing commitment to the presidential race, describing his persistence since the early 1990s as a mark of a serious politician. “Every electoral cycle brings him closer to his destination,” he noted, expressing regret that Obi did not remain in the ADC to face the contest openly.
In response to his departure, Obi has stated that his move to the NDC was driven by the urgent need to “rescue Nigeria” and cited internal crises and litigation within the ADC as key factors. He emphasized that the decision was not motivated by personal ambition or anger, but by a desire to advance a vision for national development.