Politics
ADC chieftain reveals most hilarious comment Obi made about Atiku
Media entrepreneur and publisher of Ovation International, Chief Dele Momodu, has revealed that former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, declined suggestions to align politically with former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 presidential election because he believed he enjoyed greater popularity.
Momodu made the disclosure during an interview on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, where he recounted discussions he had with Obi about the possibility of working with Atiku.
According to Momodu, he advised Obi to consider partnering with the former vice president, arguing that such an alliance could enhance his chances of attaining the presidency.
“I told Peter, why don’t you go and work with Atiku? Atiku was the person who brought him to national prominence,” Momodu said.
He recalled that Atiku’s decision to select Obi as his running mate in the 2019 presidential election was met with resistance from some leaders within the then opposition party.
“When Atiku picked Peter, the governors were angry, but one thing about Atiku is that once he makes up his mind, he’s a very focused man,” he stated.
Momodu said he cited examples of political leaders who rose to the highest office after serving as deputies, urging Obi to consider a similar path.
“So, I told Peter, I said, ‘Sir, Your Excellency, try and work with this man (Atiku),’ then I gave him copious examples. I said if John Dramani Mahama was not a vice president to John Atta Mills, maybe he would never have become President of Ghana because he came from a minority, just like Jonathan in Nigeria,” he said.
Momodu added that he also referenced the political trajectories of former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan and former United States President Joe Biden.
“I gave the example of Jonathan. I gave the example in America. Even Joe Biden, who was much older than Obama, still came back to become president because you’re able to demonstrate your capacity,” he said.
Despite the arguments, Momodu said Obi remained unconvinced.
“You’ve always been a governor of a state, but Peter told me he’s more popular than Atiku,” Momodu stated.