Momodu Clarifies Stance on Peter Obi After ADC Defection

The political landscape leading up to the 2027 general elections has taken a sharp turn following the defection of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Amidst the resulting social media firestorm, veteran journalist and PDP-turned-ADC supporter Dele Momodu has clarified that he never advised voters against supporting Obi. The publisher of Ovation Magazine used his X handle on Sunday to push back against claims that he was undermining the former Anambra State governor, insisting that while he holds strong personal views on political strategy, he has no “enemy” in the race.

The controversy was ignited by an exchange with a social media user who expressed frustration with the emerging ADC coalition. The user, identified as @judeski007, claimed that while he supported the idea of an opposition alliance, he could not project an “80-year-old man” as a candidate—a likely reference to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who has also been linked to the broader ADC coalition talks. The critic warned that if Atiku were to emerge as the coalition’s flagbearer, he would rather return his support to President Bola Tinubu than back an aged candidate.

Momodu was quick to distance himself from any attempt to de-market Peter Obi, who officially joined the ADC on December 31, 2025. “There is nowhere I told you not to root for Obi,” Momodu stated, emphasizing that he respects the choices of all voters. He explained that his recent public commentaries were not attacks, but rather an exercise of his right to state historical evidence and political facts as he sees them. For Momodu, the goal is to build a “game of numbers” where every participant and their supporters are valued, regardless of internal disagreements.

The timing of this clarification is critical, as Peter Obi’s move to the ADC has fundamentally reshaped the opposition. Speaking in Enugu last week, Obi described his exit from the Labour Party as the start of a “national rescue mission” to save Nigeria from being “looted into poverty.” His arrival has already triggered a surge in ADC membership, with several federal lawmakers and activists like Aisha Yesufu reportedly following his lead. However, the defection has also exposed deep fractures, with some analysts questioning if the “Obidient” momentum of 2023 can be successfully revived under a new party banner.

Momodu’s position is particularly unique; having publicly declared his “soul has left the PDP,” he has become a vocal advocate for the ADC coalition while maintaining a complex relationship with its various factions. He urged supporters on both sides to avoid trading insults, arguing that a unified front is the only way to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027. By affirming Obi is “not my enemy,” Momodu is attempting to play the role of a bridge-builder in a coalition that must balance the ambitions of heavyweight figures like Obi and Atiku.

As 2026 begins, the focus for Momodu and other ADC chieftains is clearly on consolidation. The publisher’s refusal to “run in the mud” with online critics suggests a strategy centered on high-level diplomacy rather than petty rivalry. Whether this “big tent” approach can accommodate the diverse interests of the LP defectors and the old PDP guard remains the biggest question of the 2027 cycle. For now, Momodu is standing his ground: his facts are his own, his choice is his own, and the door for Peter Obi’s supporters remains wide open.