Peter Obi Told Me He Was More Popular Than Atiku, Says Dele Momodu Amid 2027 Political Realignments

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has claimed that former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi once rejected his advice to work closely with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, insisting that he enjoyed greater popularity than the veteran politician.

Momodu made the revelation during an interview on Symfoni TV on Monday while reflecting on Obi’s political journey and the evolving alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Obi and Atiku previously contested the 2019 presidential election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, with Obi serving as Atiku’s running mate. Following his departure from the PDP, Obi contested the 2023 presidential election under the Labour Party, finishing behind President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress and Atiku.

In 2025, Obi joined forces with Atiku and other opposition figures, including Rabiu Kwankwaso and Rotimi Amaechi, within the ADC. However, Obi and Kwankwaso later defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress, citing internal disagreements within the opposition coalition.

Recalling one of his conversations with Obi, Momodu said he had encouraged the former governor to consider building a political partnership with Atiku, drawing parallels with political success stories in Ghana and the United States.

“Peter is the only politician who has visited my home in London, Ghana and Lagos,” Momodu said.

“In one of the visits, I told Peter, ‘Try and work with Atiku.’ I gave him copious examples that if Mahama was not a vice president to Atta Mills, maybe he would never have become President of Ghana because he came from the minority, just like Jonathan of Nigeria.

“I gave him the example of America, where even though Biden was much older than Obama, he still came back to become President because he was able to demonstrate his capacity.

“You have only been a governor of a state, but Peter told me that he’s more popular than Atiku. I swear to God. If you see him, ask him if I lied against him.”

Both Obi and Atiku are now standard-bearers of their respective political parties in the build-up to the 2027 general election.

Momodu also weighed in on the broader political landscape, alleging that some political stakeholders who publicly support President Bola Tinubu privately harbour reservations about his potential re-election.

According to him, several governors backing the President are quietly hoping for a different outcome in 2027.

“A lot of the governors who are supporting Tinubu are praying silently that he will not return. Because they know if he wins, he will become a full-blown emperor.

“Talk to a lot of them privately. They will tell you that it is not in their interest for Asiwaju to come back,” he said.

The publisher and politician further criticised the influence of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, arguing that it was largely sustained by the support of President Tinubu.

He also faulted the Federal Government’s handling of the political crisis in Rivers State, describing the declaration of a state of emergency in the state as unnecessary.

“Fubara himself has not been able to say it, but I can say that Tinubu was very cruel.

“You declared a state of emergency in a state where there was nothing,” Momodu stated.

His comments come as political parties intensify consultations, coalition talks and strategic repositioning ahead of what is expected to be a fiercely contested 2027 presidential election.