By Chibuzor Alli
African Democratic Congress chieftain Dele Momodu has said Peter Obi’s influence in the South-East could pose a major challenge to President Bola Tinubu and Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo ahead of the 2027 elections.
Momodu made the assessment during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday while discussing the opposition’s prospects in the 2027 general election.
He argued that Obi, who was the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, remained highly popular in the South-East and parts of the South-South.
Turning specifically to Anambra, where Obi previously served as governor, Momodu expressed strong confidence in Obi’s ability to outperform Soludo in the state.
“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. I have no question about that,” Momodu said.
Momodu described Obi as a “rock star” in the South-East and South-South, saying his popularity in the regions could have implications for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
“Peter Obi is a rock star. Where he comes from, especially in the South-East and the South-South,” he said.
Momodu Backs Atiku Despite Obi Prediction
Despite his assessment of Obi’s influence, Momodu said he was supporting former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who is also seeking the presidency in 2027 on the ADC platform.
He nevertheless said he would welcome efforts to bring opposition leaders together ahead of the election.
“I’m supporting Atiku, but I will be very happy when people say, ‘Oh, if you people don’t come together, you are going to lose election,’” he said.
Momodu argued that Obi’s continued influence in the South-East and parts of the South-South could create a difficult electoral environment for Tinubu.
“The scenario is different this time. Peter Obi will humiliate Tinubu and all his supporters in the South-East and some parts of the South-South. And that’s dangerous for Tinubu,” he said.
He said Tinubu would need to secure support across the three southern regions while also competing for votes in the North.
“For Tinubu to win, he needs to lock down all the three regions in the South, and he now has to go and struggle in the North, where, number one, he was supported last time by President Muhammadu Buhari,” Momodu said.
Obi, Atiku and Tinubu Set for Fresh 2027 Contest
Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election, while Obi finished third behind Atiku, who contested under the Peoples Democratic Party.
Obi secured significant support in the South-East and parts of the South-South during the 2023 election, while Tinubu’s victory was built on support from several parts of the country.
The 2027 election is expected to bring renewed competition among the major political parties, with opposition figures facing continued calls to work together to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Momodu’s comments come amid wider political realignments ahead of the election, with his ADC supporting Atiku while Obi is seeking the presidency on the platform of the Nigeria Democratic Congress. Current reporting also shows that Soludo has aligned himself with Tinubu’s 2027 campaign, adding another dimension to the political contest in Anambra.
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