Why Dele Momodu is Supporting Adeleke Despite His Party Membership

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has said he is supporting Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party for a second term. This is despite being a member of a different opposition party.

Momodu shared his decision in a statement on Tuesday. He believes that opposition parties need to put aside their individual goals and support Adeleke ahead of the governorship election set for August 15 in Osun State.

The former presidential aspirant confirmed that he is still a proud member of the ADC. He joined the party because key opposition figures aimed to create a strong coalition against what he called the "APC cankerworm."

“I joined ADC on the basis that prominent members of opposition parties in Nigeria decided to form a broad coalition of forces against the APC cankerworm that has almost destroyed our economy, social cohesion, religious tolerance and democratic institutions and separation of powers,” the statement said.

Momodu expressed his disappointment over the lack of unity among opposition leaders. He hoped that the coalition would not have to start from scratch. The ADC previously had the second, third, and fourth-placed candidates from the 2023 presidential election.

“I had prayed fervently against the demon, and clash, of voluptuous egos. I wished we won’t have to reinvent the wheels since the ADC initially paraded the second, third and fourth leading candidates in the 2023 presidential election,” he stated.

Despite his hopes, the coalition did not come together as he expected. Nevertheless, he still believes that Nigerians will stand against the APC.

“Unfortunately, it did not turn out to be so. But I still did not give up on the hope that Nigerians, not just the parties, would rise up massively against the APC menace,” he said.

Momodu said it is time for opposition parties to face reality and act wisely. His support for a candidate outside his party is based on what is happening in Osun State.

“It would be foolhardy not to see that with the manner APC has turned Osun State into a theater of war, the only sensible strategy is for all opposition parties to align immediately and back the Accord Party candidate, Governor Ademola Adeleke.

“I make this declaration without equivocation, or any fear of contradiction,” the statement read.

He made it clear that his support for Adeleke is not based on friendship or family connections. He sees the governor as someone who could beat President Bola Tinubu in popularity.

“This is not based on friendship or family ties. Governor Adeleke has been a global phenomenon who would easily defeat President Tinubu himself in a popularity contest,” he mentioned.

Momodu further praised Adeleke, calling him primus inter pares among Nigerian governors. He highlighted his achievements in different areas.

“Adeleke is primus inter pares amongst Nigerian Governors, in order of extraordinary performance in infrastructure, health, education, staff welfare, labour unions, IGR, agriculture, commerce, culture, women empowerment, youth integration, etc,” he said.

Momodu also warned opposition parties to be careful. They should not give the APC any reason to manipulate the election results.

“We should never supply the APC an easy alibi to rig the Osun gubernatorial election on August 15, 2026,” he cautioned.