African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Dele Momodu, has expressed what is fueling his optimism about the chances of his party’s standard bearer, Atiku Abubakar, winning the 2027 presidential election.
He made the remark during an interview on Nevon Media with journalist Oseni Rufai on Friday, insisting that next year’s poll will be a tough contest for President Bola Tinubu.
Momodu disclosed that the north has done something strategic by ensuring that no other strong politician from the region will be on the ballot, adding that they wouldn’t want to play second fiddle with Rabiu Kwankwaso who is vice presidential candidate.
According to him, Atiku could defeat both Tinubu and Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate, Peter Obi, if he secures strong support in the North while remaining competitive in the South.
He said, “As I predicted, Atiku will win the majority of the North, and if he is able to compete favourably in the South, it will be over for President Tinubu and Peter Obi.
“Atiku will secure at least 25% of the votes in 26 states while also dominating the North, which is where the bulk of the votes are.”
The Ovation publisher also referenced Nigeria’s constitutional requirements for winning the presidency, noting that a candidate must secure the highest number of total votes as well as at least 25 per cent of votes in two-thirds of the states.
He expressed confidence that Atiku could meet the threshold by consolidating support in high-voting northern states.
He said, “Once you get voluminous votes from the north, it will leave the south limping. That’s why Tinubu is desperate to make sure that they delete some parties. Especially because of Atiku. And the north has already played a strategic thing this time. That move is so strategic that they made sure there is no strong leader competing against Atiku in the north.
“Now, Kwankwaso is a running mate. The north will not play second fiddle, just like in the south they are blaming anybody who is competing against Tinubu as a traitor, the same way the north is treating anybody who does not support Atiku as a traitor. So, that’s number one. So, that’s a different scenario from 2023.”
He added, “He (Atiku) will then navigate his way to the south. In the south, there is no way he will not compete well in Osun State. There is no way.”
