Dele Momodu Urges Opposition to Form Strategic Alliance Ahead of 2027 Election

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) stalwart and Ovation magazine publisher, Dele Momodu, has called on opposition parties in Nigeria to unite and adopt a strategic approach — including what he termed “ethnic and religious balancing” — if they intend to mount a serious challenge against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Momodu made the appeal in a statement shared via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, while reacting to the recent defections within the PDP, notably the moves by Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the resignation of Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri from the party.

According to the veteran journalist, the ruling APC has tightened its hold on Nigeria’s political structure, effectively turning the country into a “one-party state.” “Nigeria has comfortably, voluntarily, and predictably cruised into a one-party state.

Both the executive and legislative arms have now fully come under the grip of the ruling APC,” Momodu wrote.

Despite expressing concern over the country’s political direction, Momodu maintained that the opposition could still mount a credible challenge through unity and regional coordination.

“The opposition has only one option left to be competitive. Since Tinubu appears to have secured the South, the opposition must urgently work to consolidate its strength in the North. With strategy and common sense, this is possible, even if difficult,” he stated.

Momodu further dismissed the chances of any Southern presidential hopeful—such as former President Goodluck Jonathan or Labour Party flag bearer Peter Obi—defeating Tinubu if they contest individually.

“I do not see any Southern candidate giving Tinubu a tough challenge. Not Jonathan, not Obi. If they run like independent candidates, they will fail spectacularly,” he wrote.

To regain relevance, Momodu advised the opposition to form a coalition reminiscent of the alliance that birthed the APC in 2015. He argued that a joint ticket featuring a Northern Muslim presidential candidate and a Southern Christian running mate would be the most potent combination against Tinubu’s likely Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“If the opposition is serious, it must unite and play the same political cards. A strong Northern Muslim candidate paired with a popular Southern Christian running mate remains the best strategy,” he asserted.

Concluding his remarks, Momodu cautioned that time was running out for opposition forces to organize effectively.

“The game is not over yet, but it demands urgency, unity, and candidates of absolute necessity,” he added.