Veteran journalist and publisher of Ovation International, Chief Dele Momodu, has disclosed that former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, once turned down his suggestion to work closely with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2027 political battle because he believed he had a stronger political following.
Momodu made the revelation while speaking during an interview on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, where he reflected on his relationship with both politicians and the discussions he had with Obi after the 2023 general election.
According to him, he encouraged the former Anambra State governor to rebuild his political alliance with Atiku, arguing that the ex-Vice President played a major role in bringing Obi to the national stage when he selected him as his running mate in the 2019 presidential election.
“I told Peter why don’t you go and work with Atiku. Atiku was the person who brought him to national prominence,” Momodu said.
The media entrepreneur recalled that Atiku’s decision to settle for Obi as his running mate was not welcomed by some influential figures within the Peoples Democratic Party at the time.
“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 added.
Momodu explained that he tried to convince Obi by pointing to examples of leaders in different countries who eventually rose to the highest political office after serving as deputies.
“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 Mahama was not a VP to Prof Atta Mills, maybe he would never be President of Ghana because he came from a minority just like Jonathan in Nigeria,” he said.
“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.”
Despite the advice, Momodu said Obi was not convinced that such a political arrangement would benefit him.
“You’ve always been a governor of a state but Peter told me he’s more popular than Atiku,” Momodu stated.