2027 Presidency: Only Northern Muslim-Southern Christian Ticket Can Dethrone Tinubu – Momodu

Publisher of Ovation magazine and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Dele Momodu, has stated that only a strategic ethno-religious ticket from the North and South can defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, dismissing the chances of former President Goodluck Jonathan or Labour Party presidential aspirant, Peter Obi.

Momodu made this observation on Thursday via X (formerly Twitter), a day after Bayelsa State Governor, Douye Diri, resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), a move widely seen as paving the way for a possible defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Diri has yet to officially declare his next political home, even as he serves the second term of his tenure. He follows in the footsteps of Enugu Governor, Peter Mbah, who left the PDP for the APC earlier this week.

The PDP is reportedly concerned that governors in Plateau, Adamawa, and Taraba could soon defect, reducing the party’s number of governors from eight to five. With Rivers State still under PDP control, Anambra under the All Progressives Grand Alliance, and Abia governed by the Labour Party, the South-South and South-East, once strongholds of the PDP, are now largely outside its grip.

According to Momodu, for the opposition to seriously challenge the APC, it must field a “formidable Northern Muslim presidential candidate paired with a popular Southern Christian running mate,” mirroring the coalition strategy that produced the APC in 2015.

He added: “Nigeria has comfortably, voluntarily, and predictably cruised senselessly into a one-party state… both the executive and legislative arms finally crossed the Rubicon under the grip of the ruling party, APC.”

Momodu argued that no Southern candidate, including Jonathan or Obi, can mount a credible challenge if they run independently. “If they run as independent candidates, they will fail spectacularly,” he said, emphasizing the need for regional balancing and strategic alliances within the opposition.

While several recent defectors to the APC, including governors and lawmakers, are both Christians and Muslims, Momodu stressed that the opposition must deliberately play the ethno-religious card to remain competitive.

He concluded: “The game is not over. But the opposition must act swiftly and decisively. Candidates of absolute necessity are required to unseat Tinubu in 2027.”