A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and publisher of Ovation magazine, Chief Dele Momodu, has criticised supporters of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi, popularly known as the Obidients, over what he described as divisive claims within the opposition coalition.
Momodu faulted Obi’s supporters for repeatedly describing their principal as the “best” among all leaders within the ADC coalition and for insisting that he must emerge as the party’s presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Momodu said such rhetoric was dismissive of other prominent figures within the coalition and amounted to an insult to fellow leaders who have also invested time, resources and political capital in building the party.
According to him, the narrative being pushed by some members of the Obidient movement portrays other leaders as inferior. It creates unnecessary tension within the opposition bloc at a time when unity is crucial.
The ADC chieftain was reacting to recent comments by rights activist Aisha Yesufu and renowned economist, Prof Pat Utomi, both known allies of Peter Obi. The duo had warned that their support for the ADC coalition could be withdrawn if Obi is not given the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 election.
Yesufu had argued that Obi was the best among the political heavyweights within the ADC and should not be made to “play second fiddle” to any other aspirant. This position was earlier echoed by Utomi, who also suggested that Obi’s popularity and electoral appeal placed him above other contenders in the coalition.
However, Momodu described such statements as provocative and counterproductive. He warned that imposing a sense of superiority on one individual could weaken the coalition and alienate other stakeholders.
“When I talked about people being rambunctious, I read stories where someone was quoted as saying, ‘Why will the best of us always be playing second fiddle to the worst of us?’” Momodu said during the interview.
He questioned the basis on which such judgments were being made, asking, “What determines who is the worst of us?”
Momodu stressed that leadership within a coalition should be determined through consensus, fairness and established internal democratic processes, rather than emotional pressure or threats of withdrawal. He noted that the ADC is home to several experienced politicians and respected national figures, all of whom deserve mutual respect.
The former presidential aspirant cautioned that framing the contest in terms of “best” and “worst” risks deepening divisions and undermining the collective goal of presenting a credible alternative to the ruling party in 2027.
While reaffirming his respect for Peter Obi and his supporters, Momodu urged coalition members to tone down inflammatory language and focus on building unity, inclusiveness, and a shared vision capable of winning national support.
