Momodu Says Atiku’s Federal Experience Sets Him Apart From Tinubu, Obi

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has said former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has more experience in national governance than President Bola Tinubu and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Momodu made the statement on Wednesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State.

He said Atiku’s political background and experience at the highest level of the federal government distinguished him from the other prominent political figures.

“If you look at the antecedents of the three major candidates and the two major opposition candidates, between Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, you will see that Atiku is the most experienced. He has managed our country, Nigeria, at the highest level, the presidency, and his impact is still felt and spoken about till today,” Momodu said.

The media entrepreneur traced Atiku’s political career to the 1992 presidential primary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where he contested against the late Moshood Abiola before stepping down for him.

According to Momodu, Atiku accepted the outcome without creating a political crisis, even though he was not selected as Abiola’s running mate.

He described the decision as an indication of Atiku’s democratic disposition and ability to accommodate political compromises.

“He is the only one who started from around 1992, contested the SDP primary against M.K.O. Abiola and stepped down with uncommon equanimity. He did not make any noise,” he said.

Momodu also recalled that Atiku was among the founding members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and served as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2007.

Comparing Atiku with Obi, the ADC chieftain acknowledged Obi’s record as governor of Anambra State but argued that Atiku’s experience extended to the management of national affairs.

“Peter Obi has tried his best in Anambra, while Atiku’s best is at the level of vice-president, controlling and managing the economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The difference is clear between both of them. He has matured in experience and exposure,” Momodu stated.

He also criticised Tinubu’s leadership, arguing that the President’s executive experience was largely shaped by his time as governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007.

Momodu suggested that Tinubu had underestimated the challenges of governing a country as diverse as Nigeria by applying an approach he associated with Lagos State.

“What I’m trying to say is that Tinubu’s experience was limited to Lagos, and that is why when he became president, he thought Nigeria was Lagos. And he has found out now that Nigeria is not Lagos,” he said.

The ADC chieftain further faulted the Tinubu administration over the economic hardship facing Nigerians, arguing that the prosperity promised by the government had yet to be realised.

He maintained that the current economic situation raised concerns about the administration’s performance and called on Tinubu to step aside for another leader.

“Well, we are yet to see that prosperity, and if yesterday would determine today and tomorrow, it is obvious that Tinubu should retire now and let someone else do it,” Momodu added.

Momodu’s comments come amid political discussions and realignments ahead of the 2027 general election, with the records of major political figures and their approaches to governance expected to remain prominent issues in the emerging campaign.