Southern Aspirants Risk Splitting Votes, Momodu Cautions

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirant and veteran journalist Dele Momodu has warned that continued debate over zoning the presidency ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election could strengthen the political position of incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Speaking on Tuesday, Momodu argued that opposition politicians should prioritise strategy and consensus over regional considerations if they intend to mount a serious challenge in the next presidential election.

According to him, there is no constitutional basis for zoning and opposition parties risk undermining themselves if they insist that power must remain in Southern Nigeria.

“Strategically, there is no basis for zoning. Anybody who wants to remove Tinubu will have to come from the opposite direction,” Momodu said.

He suggested that opposition figures should consider rallying around northern politicians such as Atiku Abubakar or Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, arguing that political calculations currently favour the North.

Momodu further maintained that the North remains a decisive electoral bloc and claimed that a united northern candidacy would be difficult to defeat.

Turning to southern political figures, he urged personalities including former President Goodluck Jonathan, former Peter Obi, and Seyi Makinde to engage in talks and consider backing a consensus option rather than entering a fragmented contest.

“I would suggest that the southern candidates should meet urgently and maybe withdraw for Jonathan or for Peter Obi,” he said, warning that multiple southern contenders could divide support and weaken their chances.

Momodu also predicted that the 2027 presidential race would likely be shaped by Nigeria’s most influential political actors, naming Tinubu, Jonathan and a possible alliance involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso as major forces.

He concluded that consensus remains what he described as the most sensible route for opposition parties seeking to avoid costly and divisive primaries ahead of 2027.