When veteran journalist, publisher and politician Dele Momodu took to social media on Monday to publicly market himself as a potential running mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, he did more than announce his interest in Nigeria’s second-highest political office.
Key Highlights:
- Dele Momodu is seeking to become Atiku Abubakar’s running mate for 2027.
- Other possible contenders include Rotimi Amaechi, Alex Otti, and Charles Soludo.
- Atiku’s VP choice is key to party unity and regional balance.
- The South-East and South-South are major regions under consideration.
- The decision may shape ADC’s strength in the 2027 election.
He inserted himself into one of the most consequential conversations already shaping the build-up to the 2027 presidential election: who should stand beside Atiku on the ticket of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as the opposition attempts to mount what may be its strongest challenge yet to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
In a carefully crafted statement accompanied by campaign-style graphics, Mr Momodu argued that an Atiku-Momodu ticket would represent the ideal blend of North and South, experience and modernity, political reach and media influence.
“The 2027 Presidential election is expected to be a major fight between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his biggest challenger, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar,” he wrote.
“There’s no better combination than this duo, which ensures a colourful blend.”
The intervention instantly elevated speculation over Atiku’s eventual running mate into one of the defining political debates within the ADC.
Until now, much of the conversation had revolved around former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo.
Mr Momodu’s public lobbying has now complicated the equation.
For Atiku, who has contested for Nigeria’s presidency six times and remains one of the country’s most recognisable political figures, the choice of a running mate may prove as important as securing the ADC ticket itself.
The decision will reveal how the opposition intends to build its coalition, which regions it hopes to target, and what political message it wishes to send to voters increasingly frustrated by economic hardship, insecurity and declining public confidence in governance.
The battle taking shape
Barring any major political realignment, early indicators suggest that the 2027 presidential election may once again revolve around the rivalry between President Tinubu and Atiku.
The two politicians represent different generations and traditions within Nigeria’s political establishment, yet both have become enduring fixtures in the country’s democratic journey.
Mr Tinubu enters the race as the incumbent president seeking a second term.
Despite criticism over inflation, currency instability and the rising cost of living, incumbency remains a powerful advantage in Nigerian politics. The APC continues to control a majority of state governments and maintains extensive political structures across the federation.
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Atiku, meanwhile, has emerged as the ADC’s standard-bearer after defeating Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen during the party’s presidential primary.
The victory was not without controversy.
Mr Amaechi and Mr Hayatu-Deen initially challenged the outcome before the final declaration of results. While tensions appear to have eased following consultations with Atiku, lingering concerns remain within sections of the party.
Former SGF Babachir Lawal went further by resigning from the ADC, alleging manipulation of the primary process in favour of the former vice president.
These disagreements have exposed fault lines within a party that hopes to position itself as the main opposition platform ahead of 2027.
Against this backdrop, Atiku’s choice of a running mate carries additional significance. It could either help heal internal divisions or deepen existing fractures.
Why the vice-presidential slot matters. Historically, vice-presidential selections in Nigeria have served multiple purposes.
They help balance geography, religion, ethnicity and political interests. They can also reassure key stakeholders who feel marginalised during the presidential nomination process.
In many cases, the running mate becomes a bridge between regions and constituencies that the presidential candidate struggles to penetrate.
For Atiku, the challenge is particularly complex. As a northern Muslim from Adamawa State, he must select a partner capable of broadening his appeal across southern Nigeria while simultaneously strengthening his electoral prospects in battleground states.
He must also consider party unity, campaign financing, grassroots mobilisation and governance credentials.
The ideal candidate would bring political value without creating competing power centres within the campaign. Finding such a figure is rarely straightforward.
Dele Momodu’s unusual proposition
Mr Momodu’s candidacy stands apart from many of the names being discussed.
Unlike governors, former ministers or career political operators, he approaches the race primarily from the worlds of journalism, media entrepreneurship and public engagement.
As publisher of Ovation International magazine, he spent decades building relationships across Africa’s political, business and entertainment circles.
His extensive network has earned him visibility that few Nigerian politicians can match.
In presenting himself as a potential running mate, Mr Momodu emphasised several strengths. He described himself as a global brand, youth-friendly figure, media icon, detribalised Nigerian and bridge-builder between regions.
His mixed Edo and Osun heritage also allows him to claim cultural and political connections to both South-West and South-South constituencies.
Supporters argue that his media influence, communication skills and extensive contacts could add value to an opposition campaign seeking to challenge an incumbent government.
They also note that he lacks the political baggage often associated with career politicians.
Yet questions remain. Unlike many names being considered, Mr Momodu does not control a state government, command an established political machine or possess a large electoral base.
In Nigeria’s highly competitive political environment, critics argue that visibility does not always translate into votes.
The challenge for Mr Momodu is proving that his popularity extends beyond social media engagement and elite networks into actual electoral mobilisation.
The Amaechi factor
Among all the names being mentioned, Rotimi Amaechi remains perhaps the most politically consequential.
A former governor of Rivers State and former minister of transportation, Mr Amaechi possesses significant political experience and organisational capacity.
He also contested the ADC presidential primary, finishing behind Atiku. Political observers note that selecting Mr Amaechi could serve several strategic objectives.
First, it could unite the party after a competitive primary. Second, it would strengthen Atiku’s standing in the South-South, a region with considerable electoral significance. Third, Mr Amaechi’s long experience in national politics makes him a familiar figure to voters.
There is also historical precedent. Several Nigerian presidential candidates have selected former rivals as running mates to consolidate support and prevent internal divisions.
However, an Atiku-Amaechi ticket would not be without risks.
Both men are seasoned political heavyweights with substantial ambitions and loyal followings. Managing such a partnership would require careful negotiation and trust.
The Otti and Soludo calculations
Perhaps the most intriguing speculation involves serving governors Alex Otti and Charles Soludo.
Both represent a different political proposition from traditional opposition figures. Mr Otti has emerged as one of the most visible governors elected on the Labour Party platform.
His administration in Abia State has attracted attention for infrastructure development and governance reforms.
Mr Soludo, meanwhile, remains one of Nigeria’s most respected economists and policy thinkers. The former Central Bank governor has built a reputation around technocratic governance in Anambra State.
An alliance involving either governor could help Atiku appeal to urban voters, professionals and segments of the electorate seeking competence-driven leadership.
Such a move would also signal an effort to broaden the opposition coalition beyond conventional party boundaries.
Yet significant obstacles exist. Both men belong to different political parties. Convincing either governor to abandon existing political arrangements could prove difficult.
There are also questions about whether their parties would permit such an arrangement without triggering internal crises.
The Babachir Lawal dilemma
While Babachir Lawal’s resignation from the ADC may appear to have removed him from consideration, his influence within parts of northern Nigeria remains noteworthy.
The former SGF has become an outspoken critic of both the APC and Atiku’s emergence within the ADC. His departure highlights the danger facing the opposition if post-primary grievances remain unresolved.
For Atiku, the challenge is not merely selecting a running mate but building consensus around that choice.
Failure to reconcile key stakeholders could weaken campaign momentum before the election even begins.
Learning from previous elections Nigeria’s political history offers valuable lessons about vice-presidential selections.
Successful tickets often achieve a balance between political necessity and strategic symbolism.
In 1999, the Olusegun Obasanjo-Atiku Abubakar partnership helped bridge regional divisions following years of military rule.
In 2015, the Muhammadu Buhari-Yemi Osinbajo ticket combined northern electoral strength with southern intellectual appeal and played a major role in the APC’s historic victory.
Even President Tinubu’s selection of Kashim Shettima in 2023 demonstrated how parties weigh electoral arithmetic against broader political considerations.
Atiku therefore faces a decision that extends beyond personal preference. The choice must fit into a larger strategy for defeating an incumbent administration.
The search for a southern partner
Most analysts agree that Atiku is likely to choose a southern running mate. The question is which part of the South offers the greatest strategic advantage. The South-West remains President Tinubu’s political stronghold.
Although opposition gains are possible, dislodging the APC there would require extraordinary effort. The South-East presents different opportunities. The region has historically shown strong support for opposition candidates and may be receptive to a broad coalition aimed at challenging the ruling party.
The South-South remains another critical battleground, particularly because of its history of support for Atiku and the PDP. Each zone presents different political calculations. A candidate from any of these regions would bring distinct strengths and challenges.
Can a third force emerge?
Mr Momodu’s statement acknowledged another possibility. A new third-force movement could emerge, as happened during the 2023 election. While Peter Obi’s rise transformed Nigeria’s political landscape and demonstrated the power of youth-driven mobilisation, replicating that momentum may prove difficult.
The political environment of 2027 differs significantly from that of 2023. Opposition forces are more fragmented. Economic conditions have changed. Public expectations have evolved. Nevertheless, the possibility of another disruptive candidate cannot be dismissed entirely.
Any such emergence would further complicate Atiku’s running mate calculations. Beyond electoral mathematics. One recurring criticism of Nigerian politics is its fixation on ethnic, regional and religious arithmetic at the expense of governance.
Mr Momodu attempted to address this concern in his statement by calling for a return to politics driven by ideas and ideology.
He lamented what he described as the decline of principled political leadership and warned against the continued dominance of transactional politics.
Whether voters will prioritise such arguments remains uncertain. Yet there is growing evidence that Nigerians increasingly expect candidates to offer more than traditional political balancing.
Economic recovery, security, education, healthcare and job creation are likely to dominate public discourse as the election approaches.
A running mate capable of articulating credible policy solutions may therefore carry advantages beyond regional calculations.
Atiku’s most consequential decision yet
For now, Atiku has remained characteristically silent. The former vice president understands that premature announcements could alienate potential allies and weaken his bargaining position.
The coming months will likely involve extensive consultations with party leaders, governors, financiers, political strategists and regional stakeholders. Each prospective candidate offers something different.
Amaechi brings political machinery and experience. Otti offers reformist credentials and growing popularity. Soludo contributes intellectual depth and technocratic appeal.
Momodu provides media influence, public visibility and a unique outsider narrative. The eventual choice will reveal much about how Atiku intends to fight what may be his final presidential battle.
As Nigeria inches toward another defining electoral contest, one thing is already becoming clear: the race for the ADC vice-presidential ticket has begun in earnest.
And with Dele Momodu now openly seeking the position, Atiku’s list of options—and dilemmas—has become considerably longer.
The former vice president faces a delicate balancing act between party unity, electoral strategy, regional considerations and governance credibility. How he resolves that puzzle could significantly influence not only the fortunes of the ADC but also the broader shape of the 2027 presidential contest.
In a political season still taking form, the battle for the second spot on the ticket may ultimately prove almost as consequential as the race for the presidency itself.
