By Lawrence Agbo

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has said President Bola Tinubu would lose the 2027 presidential election if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar runs on a joint ticket with a southern politician such as Peter Obi or Rotimi Amaechi.

Momodu made the prediction while speaking on Sunday Politics on Channels Television, arguing that a north–south coalition ticket led by Atiku would significantly weaken the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the next general election.

“I believe if we have a combination of Atiku, maybe with Peter Obi, maybe with Rotimi Amaechi, or any other person from the South, Tinubu will be gone. It will be the end of Tinubu’s foundation, not the APC,” he said.

Momodu defended Atiku’s continued relevance in Nigerian politics despite multiple unsuccessful presidential bids, saying the former vice president’s persistence could eventually pay off.

According to him, Atiku’s political fortunes appear to be improving as more opposition figures rally around him.

“From my analysis, Atiku Abubakar — even those who didn’t like Atiku before — now he’s smelling like roses because the enemy of your enemy is your friend. He has prepared forever,” Momodu said.

The media entrepreneur also criticised what he described as President Tinubu’s preference for a weakened opposition, warning that the wave of defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC could undermine Nigeria’s democratic system.

“Tinubu wants to contest against himself, and it doesn’t make sense to me,” he said, describing the weakening of the PDP as “a sad day for democracy.”

Amaechi, Atiku, and Obi, who ran for president in 2023 on separate party platforms, recently joined forces within the African Democratic Congress to establish a larger opposition alliance.

Other prominent figures associated with the coalition include former Senate President David Mark, former Osun governor Rauf Aregbesola, and former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai, all seen as influential players in the evolving political alliance ahead of the 2027 polls.

The ADC has scheduled its national convention for April 14, 2026, following the ward and state congresses, which are expected to begin on April 7.