“My Support for Atiku Doesn’t Stop Obidients from Backing Obi” — Dele Momodu

Chief Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine and a prominent member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has reaffirmed his support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the race to become the opposition’s presidential candidate under the ADC platform. Speaking during an interview on *Politics Today* on Channels Television, Momodu emphasized that his backing of Atiku does not infringe on the rights of Peter Obi’s supporters—popularly known as Obidients—to rally behind their preferred candidate.

Momodu described Atiku as his top choice among all aspirants and insisted that others are equally free to support whoever they believe in. “My best choice is Atiku. And that is what I expect Obidients to say, which I expect those who support Amaechi to say. There’s nothing wrong with that. This game is a game of numbers,” he stated.

He argued that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is rooting for a southern candidate to emerge from the ADC because they see Atiku as a major threat. He pointed out that key political figures, including Nyesom Wike, have been pushing for a southern presidency but that no viable candidate remains in that region. “The only one who could have attempted it is Wike. But since he is supporting Asiwaju, he is no longer available,” he said.

Momodu maintained that the ADC must allow a democratic process to decide its presidential candidate, encouraging all factions to campaign for their candidates. “Let them all go to the field. Let all Obidients campaign for Obi, let those Atikulates campaign for Atiku and let the Amaechis campaign for Amaechi. That is my belief,” he said.

Despite reaffirming his loyalty to Atiku, Momodu expressed admiration for Peter Obi, calling him a good friend and a worthy leader. “If you asked me about one of the people who should lead the coalition, I would say it should be Obi. As a democrat, I am appealing to them, hoping they will be able to do it democratically so that they will not say they were forced upon them.”

He concluded by praising Atiku as a model leader, suggesting that the fear his candidacy stirs in rival parties is a testament to his political weight and national appeal.