WIKE FIRES BACK AT ATIKU, DELE MOMODU OVER ZONING COMMENT

The Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Mr. Lere Olayinka, has issued a scathing rebuke against veteran journalist and Ovation Magazine publisher, Dele Momodu, accusing him of being financially motivated in his support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, Olayinka described Momodu as a “fairweather friend” whose allegiance lies solely with whoever pays his bills. He alleged that Momodu’s loyalty to Atiku was not ideological or rooted in principle but was driven by pecuniary interest. “We are hearing all this noise from him because Atiku is paying his bills. Let Atiku stop paying, Oga Dele Momodu will move to the next victim,” Olayinka charged.

Olayinka further dismissed Momodu’s recent claim that Wike was responsible for Peter Obi’s exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as baseless and absurd. He argued that Momodu lacked political understanding, stating, “Only someone like Dele Momodu, who does not have knowledge of anything apart from his stomach, would claim that it was Wike that drove Peter Obi out of the PDP.”

Atiku Accused of Undermining PDP Since 2003

Beyond attacking Momodu, Olayinka took aim at Atiku Abubakar himself, accusing him of being a consistent destabilizing force within the PDP since the early 2000s. According to him, Atiku has worked against the success of the party, beginning with what he termed the sabotage of the party’s efforts to secure Lagos State in 2003.

“Atiku has been the weapon fashioned against the PDP since he frustrated the party’s efforts to win Lagos State in 2003,” Olayinka declared. He accused the former vice president of self-serving politics that prioritized personal ambition over party unity and national interest.

He also called into question Atiku’s sincerity about promoting zoning to the South-East, claiming that Atiku had already secured the PDP’s presidential Expression of Interest form before the zoning committee even completed its work. “Dele Momodu claimed Atiku wanted the PDP to field a candidate from the South-East, but conveniently ignored the fact that Atiku had already declared his interest,” Olayinka noted.

Mass Exodus: Olayinka Points to Resignations as Evidence

As part of his broader critique of Atiku’s leadership, Olayinka pointed to the departure of prominent PDP figures who had worked closely with the former vice president during the 2019 and 2023 presidential campaigns. These include Senator Gbenga Daniel, former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, and former Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel.

“Was it Wike that made Senator Gbenga Daniel, who was the Director General of Atiku’s 2019 campaign, leave PDP barely two weeks after the election?” he asked rhetorically. “Was it Wike that made Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa leave the PDP?”

Olayinka emphasized that even Atiku’s most trusted campaign figures had abandoned him, suggesting that the recurring pattern indicates dissatisfaction with Atiku’s leadership style. He added that current Akwa Ibom Governor, Umo Eno, who succeeded Emmanuel, is also distancing himself from Atiku and the PDP.

The Zoning Controversy and the Peter Obi Factor

Central to the recent war of words is the sensitive issue of zoning within the PDP, especially regarding the 2023 presidential ticket. Dele Momodu had suggested that Nyesom Wike played a key role in Peter Obi’s decision to leave the PDP and contest under the Labour Party, a move that reshaped the 2023 electoral dynamics.

Olayinka refuted this narrative, stating that Peter Obi’s exit had nothing to do with Wike. Instead, he argued that internal contradictions within the PDP and a lack of sincerity on zoning were responsible. “Wike did not force Obi out. The party’s refusal to genuinely implement zoning drove Obi away,” Olayinka said.

He reiterated that Abubakar’s early declaration of interest undermined any chance for a credible zoning process. “You don’t preach zoning and then jump the gun by buying the nomination form before the zoning committee’s work is done,” he concluded.

Silence from Atiku, Momodu as Criticism Mounts

As at press time, neither Dele Momodu nor Abubakar’s camp had issued a formal response to Olayinka’s remarks. Multiple attempts to reach Abubakar’s spokesperson, Paul Ibe, proved unsuccessful. Calls to his mobile phone rang out, and messages sent to his number were not returned.

Similarly, Dele Momodu’s line was switched off, and efforts to obtain his comment were futile. His silence, however, may not quell the growing tensions within the PDP, as intra-party cracks continue to widen ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Observers say the renewed hostilities signal deeper rifts within the opposition party and may further complicate efforts to rebuild cohesion ahead of future electoral battles. Whether the PDP can unite its fractious elements or continue to suffer from elite infighting remains an open question.