A stalwart of the African Democratic Congress, (ADC), and veteran journalist, Bashorun Dele Momodu, has accused President Bola Tinubu of presiding over a degree of political consolidation worse than that witnessed below former navy Head of State, General Sani Abacha, alleging that the president has just about taken management of the manager, legislature and judiciary.
Speaking with Arise News on Wednesday, Momodu mentioned the inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council was paying homage to the Abacha period, describing it as an elitist show aimed toward consolidating political energy round Tinubu.
“What else can one anticipate from Tinubu and the APC? This is paying homage to the Abacha period.
“What I know is that the history of Nigeria recorded a man called General Sani Abacha. And when Sani Abacha wanted to be a life president, he did exactly what President Tinubu did today. And that is, to cause, that’s the word, bring everybody—but it is just an elitist show off. Very elitist.”
Momodu argued that the existence of opposition events such because the ADC and NDC displays the wrestle for political pluralism in Nigeria. He recalled that Tinubu’s camp had beforehand opposed former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s try and deliver political actors below one roof, however accused Tinubu of presiding over a good higher focus of political energy.
“It is as a result of we fought for it. Tinubu’s camp as soon as fought then-President Olusegun Obasanjo when he tried to deliver everyone below the identical roof. He stood alone. And that’s the reason lots of people felt, ‘Oh, this is a progressive governor, this is a very strong man, very brave.’ But all the pieces he did has since evaporated. He is much worse than what Abacha did. Is {that a} honest evaluation? No.
“Today, Tinubu has virtually taken over everything: the executive, the legislature, the judiciary, almost everything under Tinubu is worse than what we fought against in the past.”
He additionally claimed that some members of the APC had been privately apprehensive about Tinubu’s potential return to workplace in 2027, alleging that they feared political oppression would intensify if he secured a second time period. Momodu added that the president’s insurance policies had deferred a number of points to subsequent yr, with out specifying which issues he was referring to.
“People are so scared of Tinubu. The majority of my friends are in APC, I say this all the time. You need to listen to them behind the scene; they are the same. They are all scared, and some of them are even praying privately that Tinubu will not come back in 2027 because they know the oppression will continue and get worse. A lot of things now have been deferred by Tinubu to next year.”
Momodu additionally questioned whether or not governors’ endorsements of Tinubu would translate into votes, arguing that political help from elected officers doesn’t mechanically assure the loyalty of their constituents. Citing Anambra State for example, he expressed confidence that voters might reject Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s place and keep their help for NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi.
“That isn’t true. I’m partly from Ogun, my mom got here from Ogun, and I can inform you that Ogun individuals are amongst essentially the most sensible human beings you’ll ever discover in Nigeria. And they’re very severe about their democracy. They supported Adetilewa as a result of he carried out. But that help isn’t unconditional. I can assure you, if he tells them right this moment to vote for Tinubu, they’ll go towards him, and they’ll go towards Tinubu.
“And I can tell you something: Soludo is the same. I can bet my life on it that Peter Obi will humiliate and disgrace Soludo in Anambra State.”
On the 2027 elections, Momodu described Peter Obi as a serious political power within the Southeast and South-South, claiming that the previous Anambra governor might deal a major electoral blow to Tinubu and his supporters within the areas. He argued that Tinubu would wish robust help throughout all three southern geopolitical zones whereas additionally competing for votes within the North.
“Peter Obi is a rock star the place he comes from, particularly within the Southeast and the South South. I’m supporting Atiku, however I might be very completely happy—when folks say, ‘Oh, if you people don’t come collectively, you’re going to lose the election,’ the situation is totally different this time.
“Peter Obi will humiliate Tinubu and all his supporters within the Southeast and a few components of the South South, and that’s harmful for Tinubu.
“For Tinubu to win, he needs to lock down all the three regions in the South, and now he has to go and struggle in the North.”
Arguing that political endorsements by governors don’t assure electoral help, Momodu mentioned Nigerians are going through higher financial hardship than in 2023, whereas citing the electoral losses suffered by some members of the G-5 governors’ group regardless of their political affect.
He additionally questioned the affect of FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, pointing to the losses suffered by some members of the G-5 governors’ group of their senatorial bids after the 2023 elections. Momodu accused Wike of utilizing cash and intimidation towards political opponents, whereas suggesting that the ruling occasion’s rising help amongst politicians didn’t essentially replicate real voter loyalty.
“Today, a mean Nigerian—that is not about APC now—a mean Nigerian is poorer right this moment than she or he was in 2023. So the folks Tinubu has to face now are Nigerians in droves. And we’re already seeing it, and I’m certain on social media, if you wish to see a mirrored image of what a rustic appears or appears like, you will notice it on social media. Today, Tinubu is being attacked from each nook of Nigeria and majorly from his personal tribe.
“Yes, Wike was round final time in 2023 together with his G-5 governors. There had been 5 of them. Three out of 5 contested simply to be senators. Benue governor misplaced his senatorial bid, he was a sitting governor. Enugu State governor misplaced his senatorial bid, he was a sitting governor. Abia State governor misplaced his senatorial bid, he was a sitting governor. The solely man who escaped by the whiskers was Seyi Makinde in Oyo state, out of the G-5.
“Wike’s bravo, we all know what it’s all about. It’s about spending money and then using all kinds of subterranean forces to intimidate and bully his opponents. Just like they did to even the governor, Fubara.”
Dismissing the APC’s rising political help as an “optical illusion”, Momodu argued that the ruling occasion’s present of energy doesn’t replicate real voter help, accusing Tinubu of failing to ship on his guarantees and describing his choice to not marketing campaign nationwide as a “red flag”.
“What APC is doing is all about optics, and it’s an optical phantasm. It’s not actual. Today, Tinubu has been fully demystified. It is a disgrace. Look, I personally would have supported him if he carried out. But there isn’t any efficiency. Everybody is crying, and it will possibly solely be worse.
“So a man who already is telling us, ‘I cannot go around campaigning, I’ve been advised not to campaign, and I’ve accepted their suggestion and advice’—that’s a red flag!”
On opposition unity forward of the 2027 presidential election, Momodu described former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as essentially the most formidable opposition candidate, arguing that his help throughout the northern states might put him in a robust place. He additionally urged Peter Obi to stay within the race, saying the NDC presidential candidate’s presence within the South might problem Tinubu’s help within the area.
“The solely man, the one formidable candidate and opposition chief right this moment is Atiku Abubakar. He is the one one from the northern areas of Nigeria: Northwest, Northeast, North Central. He will certainly get his 25 p.c from all these, that’s 19—19 states from these non secular zones. Then you could have 17 within the South. And all it wants would simply be about six, seven extra states. He will coast residence to victory.
“Tinubu now has to divide the South with Peter Obi. So, in fact, I am imploring Peter Obi to continue, to torment Tinubu in the South.”
The ADC chieftain mentioned his evaluation of the 2027 race was based mostly on the political panorama, arguing that Obi’s continued candidacy might cut up southern votes with Tinubu and increase Atiku’s possibilities.
“It so happens that strategically, you could see that APC, they were trying to beg or to force Peter Obi out of the race recently. But the more it became stubborn, the better for us. So which means you have a lone formidable—there’s nobody more experienced, more formidable than Atiku since 1993. He’s been running, and he’s been consistent, and he’s been focused. So today, you have two people in three regions with 17 states in the South vying for the same thing, and you want them to compete a lone contender from the North?”
Alleging that Tinubu had populated INEC with folks of Yoruba origin, Momodu questioned the fee’s neutrality, claiming that Nigerians, together with a few of the president’s supporters, doubted his dedication to a free and honest election.
“He has populated INEC with folks from Yoruba land. If you ask a mean Nigerian right this moment about Tinubu, do you belief Tinubu to conduct a free and honest election? I can inform you, 90 p.c of it should say no.
“Nobody trusts Tinubu to run a free and fair election, including his own supporters.”
He, nevertheless, declined to reveal the ADC’s technique for stopping Tinubu’s re-election, saying efforts had been ongoing behind the scenes. Momodu additionally alleged that governors, judges and legislators had been afraid to problem the president, including that Nigerians had been looking forward to a change in management.
“Don’t fear. I can’t inform you our technique in public. What we all know is that after upon a time, Tinubu fought for himself to outlive his second time period as governor of Lagos State. So others are additionally working very laborious behind the scenes. We’re not going to return in public and say this. But we all know what to do to guarantee that he doesn’t get that second time period.
“And we additionally know that a few of the folks pretending to be supporting him right this moment—and I’m not attempting to trivialize this factor, I do know a few of them. They are praying fervently that they won’t need to undergo this factor the place governors turn out to be like houseboys. Governors are scared, judges are scared, legislators are scared. How about that?
“Nigerians are desperately looking for a day they can say, ‘Ah, thank God!’”
Defending Atiku’s credentials, Momodu described him as essentially the most skilled politician within the 2027 race, citing his tenure as vice-president and document in enterprise and public service.
He argued that Atiku would uphold democracy, dismissing criticism over PDP zoning by insisting that the Nigerian Constitution takes priority over the occasion’s structure.
“Atiku is essentially the most skilled politician within the race right this moment. He was Vice President from 1999 to 2007. He has managed himself in public life, in non-public life. There usually are not many politicians like him who left energy since 2007 and have been in a position to handle their non-public companies successfully. And that’s all it takes. Leadership is about managing folks and assets. He’s executed that. And when he was in authorities, all of us noticed how spectacular he was. And as soon as and for all, I can guarantee you that Atiku offers you true democracy.
“The constitution of Nigeria is above every other constitution. And that is it. Atiku has not flouted the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
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