Veteran journalist and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has praised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for what he described as a lifetime of resilience, sacrifice, and political perseverance amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the party’s 2027 presidential primaries.
Speaking during a live interview from 16:52 with Arise News l reacting to the internal crisis trailing the ADC primaries, Momodu defended Atiku’s strong performance in results emerging from several states. He dismissed claims that the process was fundamentally compromised, insisting that the exercise reflected the realities of competitive democratic politics.
Although acknowledging concerns raised by some aspirants, including former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, Momodu urged party members and stakeholders to remain patient until the collation and verification process is fully completed. He warned that premature conclusions and public confrontations could weaken the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While speaking about Atiku’s background and personal journey, Momodu emphasized the hardships the former vice president faced from an early age. According to him, Atiku’s rise in business and politics was shaped by struggle, discipline, and determination rather than privilege.
Highlighting Atiku’s personal history, Momodu said, “Atiku lost his father at a young age and still struggled through life to support his mother from his teenage years.”
He added that the former vice president’s life story explains why many Nigerians continue to identify with him despite the political challenges he has encountered over the years. Momodu argued that Atiku’s experiences contributed to the resilience and persistence that have defined his political career since the early days of Nigeria’s democratic transition.
According to Momodu, Atiku’s political rise was built gradually through years of networking, coalition building, and active participation in national politics dating back to the 1993 political era. He stressed that the former vice president has remained politically relevant despite repeated electoral defeats, internal opposition, and shifting political alliances.
Momodu further described Atiku as a “bridge builder” capable of reducing political tension across different regions of the country. He noted that the former vice president has consistently maintained relationships across ethnic, regional, and political divides, making him one of the few politicians with truly national appeal.
He also referenced Atiku’s business career after leaving office as vice president in 2007, arguing that the former vice president had continued to manage his private businesses successfully without relying on control of any state structure or government institution.
He urged party members to focus on reconciliation and internal dialogue once the process is completed, stressing that unity would be essential for the party’s future ahead of the 2027 elections….Read_More…