Obi told me he was more popular than Atiku, says Dele Momodu

Veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu has claimed that Peter Obi, the 2027 presidential candidate for the African Democratic Congress, once told him he was more popular than Atiku Abubakar. Momodu recounted advising Obi to consider working with Abubakar, drawing parallels from Ghanaian and American politics where figures like John Dramani Mahama and Joe Biden leveraged vice-presidential roles.

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

Momodu shared this anecdote during an interview on Symfoni TV, stating that Obi rejected the suggestion to partner with Abubakar, insisting on his superior popularity. "You have only been a governor of a state, but Peter told me that he’s more popular than Atiku. I swear to God," Momodu said, challenging Obi to confirm the account.

Obi and Abubakar have a history of political alliance, having run together on the Peoples Democratic Party ticket in the 2019 presidential election. Obi later defected to the Labour Party for the 2023 election, finishing third, before reportedly joining Atiku and other opposition figures in the ADC in 2025, though he and Rabiu Kwankwaso later defected again.

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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.

Momodu also commented on the broader political landscape, alleging that many political actors privately express concerns about President Bola Tinubu's increasing influence. He claimed that some governors publicly supporting Tinubu are privately hoping he does not win a second term, fearing he would become an "emperor." Momodu suggested that these governors would prefer a different political outcome for their own interests.

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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.