Momodu: Obi Left ADC Because He Could Not Challenge Atiku

Media entrepreneur and former presidential aspirant Dele Momodu has claimed that former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) because he lacked the political strength to confront former Vice President Atiku Abubakar within the party structure.

Momodu made the remarks on Wednesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where he reacted to the recent defection of Obi and former Kano State governor Rabiu Kwankwaso from the ADC to the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC).

According to Momodu, Obi would have been better positioned politically if he had remained in the ADC to test his popularity through the party’s internal democratic process instead of moving to another platform amid rising tensions within the party.

Momodu Questions Obi’s Political Calculations

Speaking during the interview, Momodu argued that Obi missed a major opportunity to prove his political influence within the ADC. He maintained that the party’s structure provided a fair platform through either consensus arrangements or direct primaries, where registered party members would determine the candidate.

He stated that Obi’s popularity could have been measured effectively through such a process, insisting that a genuinely popular candidate would naturally secure support from party members during primaries. However, Momodu claimed Obi recognised the difficulty of defeating Atiku within the ADC, regardless of the method adopted for candidate selection.

Momodu further credited Atiku for what he described as decades of consistent political ambition and determination. According to him, the former vice president has remained focused on his presidential aspiration since the early 1990s, showing resilience despite repeated electoral setbacks.

Supporters Influencing Obi’s Decisions

Momodu also alleged that Obi’s political decisions were heavily shaped by pressure from his supporters, particularly regarding discussions about possible vice-presidential arrangements in future elections.

According to him, several influential Obi supporters publicly rejected any suggestion that the former Anambra State governor should serve as a running mate to another presidential contender. He referenced comments allegedly made by activist Aisha Yesufu and political economist Pat Utomi warning against such an arrangement.

He argued that Obi’s exit from the ADC was not primarily about internal disagreements with Atiku, but rather about concerns over his ability to overcome the former vice president’s influence within the party.

Obi Explains Exit From ADC

Obi and Kwankwaso officially defected from the ADC to the NDC on Sunday, marking another major shift in Nigeria’s evolving opposition political landscape ahead of future electoral contests.

The former Anambra governor had earlier explained that his departure from the ADC was influenced by worsening internal disputes, external interference, and growing tensions within the party’s leadership structure. Obi, who joined the ADC from the Labour Party in December 2025, said recent developments made it increasingly difficult for him to continue operating effectively within the party.

Political observers believe the latest defections could significantly reshape opposition alliances and influence calculations ahead of the next general election cycle, especially as major political figures continue consultations over possible coalition arrangements.