ABUJA, January 7, 2026 – Prominent journalist and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has cautioned party leaders against allowing internal aggression and demands from certain groups to destabilize the emerging opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a detailed post on his verified X account on January 6, titled “My Candid Advice to ADC: Avoid Another Wike Scenario,” Momodu urged the ADC to enforce discipline swiftly to prevent a repeat of the crisis that plagued the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) due to internal power struggles.
Momodu recalled attending a meeting in Abuja last year where opposition figures voluntarily adopted the ADC as a platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). "No one forced anyone to join," he wrote, emphasizing promises of an open, democratic party where no individual or group would cause chaos. He expressed initial optimism upon seeing former Senate President and retired General David Mark appointed as chairman, believing Mark would maintain strict discipline.
However, Momodu highlighted recent developments as concerning: "But in recent time, some groups have introduced aggression and rambunctiousness into a fledgling cooperation and collaboration of all." He questioned how a coalition could function if certain factions insisted on automatically producing the presidential candidate "by donation and coronation, without election or persuasion," or unleashed "tantrums and expletives" on others.
Drawing a parallel to the PDP's turmoil, Momodu warned: "This was how Nyesom Wike held PDP by the jugular until it became too late to be dislodged or expelled." He urged the ADC to remain "a party of love and not a Fuji house of commotion," calling for immediate action to preserve unity.
The warning comes amid intense pressure from supporters of Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate who recently defected to the ADC, demanding that he be handed the party's 2027 presidential ticket outright.
Key Obi allies, including political economist Professor Pat Utomi and activist Aisha Yesufu, have publicly stated that Obi must run for president and not accept a vice-presidential role. Utomi has threatened to withdraw support if Obi settles for second position, while Yesufu and the broader Obidient Movement have echoed similar sentiments, insisting on Obi as the flagbearer.
Obi's defection to the ADC in late December 2025, alongside other opposition figures, bolstered the coalition formed to unseat President Bola Tinubu's APC in 2027. The platform includes heavyweights like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, with interim leadership under David Mark.
Analysts note that debates over zoning, ticket allocation, and candidate selection have intensified, with some viewing demands for automatic nomination as undemocratic and divisive. Momodu's intervention reflects broader concerns that unchecked factionalism could fracture the coalition before primaries.
The ADC has positioned itself as the primary opposition vehicle, attracting defectors from PDP, Labour Party, and others disillusioned with APC governance. However, internal tensions over power-sharing risk undermining unity, especially as permutations for alliances and mergers continue.
Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine and a veteran politician, has been vocal on opposition dynamics, previously advocating pragmatic coalitions while criticizing divisive tactics. His latest advice underscores the delicate balance required to build a viable challenge against the incumbent.
As 2027 approaches, the ADC faces the challenge of harmonizing diverse interests, including generational shifts and regional considerations, to present a united front. Failure to address infighting early could replicate past opposition failures, experts warn.
This episode highlights ongoing realignments in Nigeria's political landscape, where coalitions often struggle with ego clashes and power grabs amid high stakes for national leadership.
