Veteran journalist and politician, Dele Momodu, has suggested that the refusal of governors under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to support the proposed opposition coalition may be a sign that they are indirectly backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
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He made this known on Monday while speaking on Arise TV’s Prime Time programme, where he expressed disappointment over the PDP Governors’ Forum’s decision to distance itself from the coalition idea put forward by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The proposed alliance, which was jointly announced by Atiku, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, aims to unite opposition voices ahead of future political contests. However, following a meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, PDP governors chose not to be part of the initiative.
Momodu warned that by turning down the proposal, the governors risk weakening the opposition and making it easier for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to retain power. He stressed that no single political figure, including Atiku, Obi, or Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, can successfully challenge the APC without broad-based collaboration.
He criticized what he described as fear and hesitation among political leaders, suggesting that some may be avoiding the coalition out of concern for how President Tinubu might respond or due to fear of possible investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Citing historical precedent, Momodu recalled how Tinubu, as Lagos State governor, stood up to federal pressure under the Obasanjo administration, and urged today’s opposition leaders to show similar resilience.
He also cautioned those considering defection for personal gain, warning that such decisions could have long-term political consequences. According to him, the only viable path for the opposition to pose a serious challenge lies in unity and strategic collaboration.
