Veteran journalist and former chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, has called on opposition parties in Nigeria to unite and apply ethnic and religious strategies if they hope to challenge President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.
Momodu made this known in a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Wednesday while reacting to the growing wave of defections that have shaken the PDP. Recently, Enugu State Governor Peter Mbah defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), and reports suggest that Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri has also stepped down from the PDP.
According to the Ovation International publisher, the ruling APC has now gained total control over both the executive and legislative arms of government.
“Nigeria has comfortably, voluntarily, and predictably cruised, senselessly, into a one-party state. Both the executive and the legislative arms finally crossed the Rubicon yesterday under the grip of the ruling party, APC,” Momodu wrote.
He described the current political climate as a dangerous slide into a single-party system but maintained that the opposition still has a chance—if only it acts fast and unites around a clear strategy.
“The opposition has only one option left in order to be competitive. Since Tinubu has already locked down the South of Nigeria, the opposition must work speedily to lock down the North. With common sense, this is feasible, even if difficult,” he stated.
Reports has it that Momodu dismissed the possibility of any southern candidate—including former President Goodluck Jonathan or Labour Party’s Peter Obi—posing a strong challenge to Tinubu if they contest separately in 2027.
“I do not see any Southern candidate giving Tinubu any tough challenge. Not former President Jonathan. Not former Governor Peter Obi. If they run as independent candidates, they will fail spectacularly,” he said.
He advised the opposition to form a coalition similar to the one that produced the APC in 2015, suggesting that their best chance lies in presenting a strong Northern Muslim presidential candidate paired with a Southern Christian running mate.
“If the opposition is serious and determined to do whatever it takes, it must first unite and decide to play the ethnic and religious cards too. Opposition must pick a formidable Northern Muslim candidate with a very popular Southern Christian running mate against Tinubu’s likely Muslim/Muslim ticket,” Momodu added.
In conclusion, Momodu emphasized that the 2027 race is not yet lost but warned that only unity, strategy, and swift planning can help the opposition mount a serious challenge against the APC.