Prominent media entrepreneur and politician, Dele Momodu, has warned that leading opposition figures including Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso stand little to no chance of defeating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election unless they form a united front.
Speaking in a televised interview, Momodu said individual opposition candidates cannot match the strength of the incumbent unless they join forces under a credible, unified platform.
“None of the current opposition figures can defeat Tinubu in a general election if they run independently. Not Peter Obi, not Kwankwaso, not even Atiku,” Momodu stated.
“The only Southerner who might come close to making an impact is former President Goodluck Jonathan — and I don’t believe he is interested in running again.”
The Case for Coalition Politics
Momodu, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and publisher of Ovation Magazine, emphasized the strategic disadvantage opposition parties face if they go into the 2027 race fragmented.
According to him, the APC’s political machinery remains robust and well-positioned across the country, giving Tinubu a significant advantage over divided challengers.
“The only way to even attempt to defeat Tinubu is through an opposition coalition — a true national alliance that reflects Nigeria’s diversity and unites behind one credible candidate,” he argued.
He further suggested that some PDP governors resisting the idea of a coalition might be covertly working to maintain Tinubu’s dominance.
On Jonathan’s Relevance
While ruling out most Southern candidates, Momodu named former President Goodluck Jonathan as a potential exception — citing his national name recognition and experience — but quickly dismissed the idea of a comeback.
“Jonathan has nothing to prove. I don’t think he would stress himself with another race. But if he were to run, he’s the only Southerner I believe might stand a chance,” he added.
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Jonathan, who served as Nigeria’s president from 2010 to 2015, has largely remained outside partisan politics in recent years, focusing on regional diplomacy and peacebuilding.
A Fractured Field Ahead of 2027
With rising speculation around who may challenge Tinubu in 2027, the opposition field appears crowded but disconnected.
Peter Obi of the Labour Party continues to draw support from youth and urban voters; Atiku Abubakar remains a PDP heavyweight; Kwankwaso has maintained influence in the North under the NNPP banner.
But according to Momodu, these fragmented efforts could ultimately serve Tinubu’s re-election campaign unless a consensus is reached.
Dele Momodu’s remarks add to growing calls for opposition unity ahead of the next election cycle. Whether political egos and party loyalties will give way to collaboration remains to be seen — but the window for forging a united front may already be narrowing.
