A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has alleged that nobody trusts President Bola Tinubu to conduct a free and fair election in 2027, including his own supporters.
Momodu also claimed that governors, judges and legislators were afraid to challenge the president, alleging that Tinubu had become a god that that the so-call dominat polical office holders were reluctant to question his leadership.
The publisher of Ovation Magazine made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Wednesday, where he expressed concerns about the credibility of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) under the Tinubu administration.
“If you ask an average Nigerian today about Tinubu, do you trust Tinubu to conduct a free and fair election? I can tell you, 90 per cent of them will say no,” Momodu said.
“Nobody trusts Tinubu to run a free and fair election, including his own supporters,” he added.
He attributed the alleged lack of confidence in the electoral process partly to Tinubu’s appointments to INEC, claiming that too many people from the South-West had been appointed to the electoral body.
Momodu further alleged that fear had weakened the willingness of key political and judicial actors to hold the president accountable.
“Governors are scared, judges are scared, legislators are scared. So, Tinubu has become a god that nobody is ready to face and say, ‘Oga, you’ve done your best. Please go home,’” he said.
The ADC chieftain, however, expressed confidence that Nigerians would play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the 2027 presidential election, arguing that opposition efforts should not be assessed solely through the activities of political parties.
“Look, you do not know the determination of Nigerians, and now I’m not resting my confidence on just my party. I’m talking about the ordinary man on the street who cannot imagine Tinubu coming back again,” he said.
Momodu also declared that the ADC had strategies to prevent Tinubu from securing a second term in office but declined to disclose the party’s plans publicly.
“I can’t tell you about strategy in public. What we know is that once upon a time, Tinubu fought for himself to survive the second term as governor of Lagos State. So others are also working very hard behind the scenes,” he said.
“We are not going to come in public and say this, but we know what to do to make sure that he does not get that second term,” he added.
The media entrepreneur also dismissed concerns that Tinubu would refuse to accept defeat if he lost the 2027 election, maintaining that the determination of Nigerians could shape the political contest.
His comments come as political parties and opposition figures intensify preparations for the 2027 general election, with the ADC positioning itself as part of the opposition effort to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).