Dele Momodu, a veteran journalist, contested for the presidential ticket of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2023, but ended up serving as the Director of Strategic Communications for the Atiku Abubakar Presidential Campaign Organisation. In this interview with KEHINDE OLATUNJI, Momodu says those seeking PDP’s fall want Atiku disqualified from the presidential contest.

How did the recent comments by General Ibrahim Babangida on the June 12 election make you feel as a June 12 faithful?
I don’t think I feel anything new about this, because it has lingered for about 32 years now. There was never any doubt that Abiola won the election. What we didn’t know, and still don’t know to this day, is why the election was annulled.

Babangida claimed that some people would have killed him and Abiola if the election hadn’t been annulled. However, I believe it was a risk worth taking for the country, and they should have taken that risk to see if it would actually happen. Unfortunately, many of us didn’t believe that was the real situation.

We felt the military was reluctant to relinquish power, and General Babangida even mentioned specific individuals who opposed Abiola’s presidency. However, I firmly believe that they should have proceeded with Abiola’s inauguration, regardless of the potential consequences. As the saying goes, “if the heavens will fall, then let them fall”. I’ve been following the reactions to General Babangida’s book, and the majority opinion has been somber and disheartening.

Many people are upset that it took him 32 years to reveal the truth, leaving some to wonder why he chose to speak up now. Nevertheless, the book has likely enriched our libraries, offering another perspective on Nigeria’s history. With former President Olusegun Obasanjo and other leaders having shared their accounts, it’s perhaps fitting that General Babangida has finally shared his side of the story.

Are you relieved that General Babangida finally acknowledged Abiola’s victory, after keeping mum for so long in subsequent events that unfolded?
For me, I look at news from certain perspectives. I recall reading a book by Thomas Paine, “The Age of Reason,” where he questioned the miracle of a Whale swallowing up Jonah. He suggested that it would have been more newsworthy if Jonah had swallowed the Whale. To me, the news of Abiola winning the election, and the election being tacitly declared 32 years later, isn’t a big deal. What people are asking is whether they should forgive Babangida.

Do you think the June 12 denouement is enough to atone for the military’s role in truncating democratic choice of Nigerians?
June 12 has become an extremely significant date in Nigeria’s calendar, symbolising the country’s best election ever. President Babangida would have garnered immense praise and admiration if he had allowed the election to stand, potentially even being revered as a national hero. However, I’m not one to judge, unlike many others who are quick to condemn and criticise.

My personal connection to the late MKO Abiola, whom I consider my adopted father, reminds me of his humble and non-vindictive nature. This is why I refuse to join the chorus of those calling for retribution. Instead, I acknowledge that the events of June 12 were devastating, inexcusable, and unforgettable.

As a chieftain, do you sleep soundly over the goings-on in your party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)?
There is a crisis in every party, not just PDP. The All Progressives Congress (APC) and even President Bola Tinubu’s Lagos base are experiencing turmoil. Why focus solely on PDP? Despite holding the presidency, APC is embroiled in conflicts nationwide.

What’s happening is that some rascals are trying to destroy the party that made them. I call them rascals because you can’t destroy something that gave you so much. Many of these people have benefited greatly from the PDP, yet they are now working with rival parties, including the ruling party. Mark my words, they’ll regret it eventually. I’m vocal about this because I know they’ll ultimately pay the price for betraying their own party. You cannot trust someone who bites the hand that feeds them.

Are you by any means alluding specifically to the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike?
I am not pointing fingers at anyone specifically. Those who intend to destroy the party are well-known to all. I have moved beyond naming names; it’s no longer necessary. A rascal will always be a rascal, and they’ll know themselves.

The real issue is that the APC is already gearing up for the 2027 presidential election, using rogue elements within the PDP to destabilise the party. They are employing federal might to suppress any opposition, whipping up sentiment against potential candidates, and even suggesting that Atiku is too old to run again.

Interestingly, no one is questioning Tinubu’s age. The truth is, Atiku’s courage to stand up to them is really unsettling. As a result, they are launching a daily smear campaign against him, but fortunately, his restraint is his greatest strength.

There is consensus that with the having shifted to the South, Atiku should allow the South to get a second term…
Politics isn’t about beliefs. It is about reality and the constitution. Nigeria’s constitution allows anyone to run, which is why we all participated in the last election. Politics is not a religion, and the PDP has a different history, having had more southerners in power than northerners, unlike the APC.

In politics, people say what suits them. Personally, I don’t care where the President of Nigeria comes from. That is my honest opinion.

Even with the North that has been in government for a long time?
If a southerner can deliver, I don’t care if they’re there forever. What matters is performance, not where you are from. No country repeats the same mistakes based on regional backgrounds and expects progress. What has Obasanjo’s presidency or Tinubu’s influence done for their respective regions?

Jonathan’s presidency made no significant difference for the South-South. Performance is what matters to me. If we prioritise ethnicity and religion, we will not make progress. More so, PDP had southerners Obasanjo and Jonathan as presidents for 13 years, with a potential 17 years if Jonathan had won re-election. Nobody highlights this arithmetic.

You noted that some people are opposed to Atiku’s aspiration for the 2027 presidential run. What are his chances of reclaiming the PDP ticket?
It doesn’t matter; only one person can win an election, whether they have a chance or not. If someone says they’re interested and gets their party’s ticket, then so be it.

That is what I’m saying: it’s about his money, his life, and his choice. If he decides to run, let him run, and those who don’t want him to win should work against him. I am not saying he must win; I am against disqualifying him from the start.

Why disqualify someone for pursuing their personal ambition? Even former President Mohammadu Buhari had seemingly given up, stating he wouldn’t run again, before he contested for the fourth time and won. Abraham Lincoln’s story in American history teaches us that perseverance can lead to success.

In the last election, I suggested to him (Atiku), ‘Why not give younger candidates a chance?’ At our national convention in Abuja, he said, ‘Dele, I hear you’re planning to run against me.’ I replied, ‘Yes, sir,’ and he responded, ‘We’ll meet on the field.’ This embodies the democratic spirit, where competition is welcomed. If he chooses to run, it’s up to others to oppose him, but no individual should disqualify someone due to personal biases or fears. In my view, the APC seems to fear Atiku.

The Obidient Movement enjoys widespread presence and is actively promoting Peter Obi’s candidacy. Will that pose a threat to the prospects of any PDP candidate, not just Atiku? Are there plans to bring Obi back?
I have no idea. Don’t forget that once upon a time, Peter Obi was a running mate for Atiku.
I am uncertain about the PDP’s current strategy, but it’s clear that some members are committed to the party’s survival. Conversely, powerful forces are leveraging federal authority to intimidate the PDP, aiming to dismantle it. Their objective is to neutralise the party before the 2027 election, thereby clearing the path for Tinubu’s candidacy. The situation is unfolding, and its outcome remains to be seen.

PDP has been holding talks with Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso to expand its base, but do you think their coalition could upstage APC in 2027?
The enemy of your enemy is your friend. It’s obvious the APC doesn’t want to be challenged, but they will be. I believe a coalition will form, and APC will try to frustrate it, which is what they’re doing.

They’re creating crises across all political parties, while facing their own crises everywhere, even in Yoruba land. According to Isaac Newton’s principles, actions and reactions are always equal and opposite. Given that APC already has Tinubu and is unlikely to produce a different candidate, I predict the coalition candidate will come from the north. They’ll likely choose a formidable southern candidate as their running mate. This strategy has been tried before, tested, and proven effective.

How can PDP rebuild trust in its structure?
The majority members of PDP remain loyal, while a handful of powerful individuals, who have amassed considerable wealth through the party, are driving the destruction.

Having forgotten their roots, they’re motivated by self-preservation. A case in point is Atiku, who left the party in anger, but returned when it wasn’t dismantled. Those seeking to destroy the PDP are exploiting the fear of Tinubu, using him as a shield to further their interests. By becoming ministers, they aim to shield themselves from accountability, making themselves untouchable, even by the EFCC (Economic and Financial Crimes Commission).

They’re currently being shielded, which is part of their strategy. They believe that once Tinubu’s tenure ends, they can return to the PDP and exploit its platform, since they’re unlikely to wield control within the APC.

However, APC members are watching them closely, warning that the manipulative tactics they employed within the PDP won’t be tolerated. These individuals are aware of their own actions. Their plan is to suppress the PDP while aligning themselves with the APC. But they’re mistaken if they think they can simply return to the PDP when the APC’s influence wanes. That’s not going to happen.

What is your assessment of the current administration’s economic policies?
As a non-economist, I may not be fully qualified to comment on economic matters. However, I’m perplexed by the current situation. Every family needs hope, and parents strive to avoid frustrating their children.

Yet, many Nigerians feel frustrated today, with their struggles intensifying daily. When concerns are raised, the government responds by acknowledging a ‘painful process’ that must be endured.

This approach is akin to visiting a doctor with a headache, only to receive a treatment that exacerbates the condition, such as a stroke-inducing injection. Effective solutions should prioritize stabilization and relief, rather than exacerbating the problem.