A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Dele Momodu, has taken a swipe at the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over his alleged inability to accept the outcome of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, 2022 presidential primary.
Momodu made the remark while fielding questions on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Thursday.
He contrasted Wike’s alleged reaction to losing the presidential ticket with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s political conduct, describing the latter as focused and tolerant of political competition.
“Atiku Abubakar has been the most focused candidate since his name appeared for the presidential race in 1993. He was persuaded to step down for Chief MKO Abiola and he did without setting the roof on fire.
“We know of some people who did not get the candidacy four years ago, until today, they are still inconsolable,” he said.
Momodu described Atiku as a calm politician who had never prevented other aspirants from contesting against him.
“Atiku has always been a man of cool mien. He's always as cool as the cucumber. He has never stopped anyone from contesting against him. He has never been a dictator. He left power in 2007, and he's been managing his life. He does not control any state,” he added.
The ADC chieftain maintained that Atiku was the best candidate among the major contenders for the 2027 presidential election, alongside President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC.
Momodu said Tinubu’s major political credential was his tenure as governor of Lagos State, while Atiku’s was his experience as vice president and Obi’s was his tenure as governor of Anambra State.
“Bola Tinubu came; his best credential was being the former governor of Lagos State. Atiku came; his best credential was being the former vice president of Nigeria. Peter Obi came; his best credential was being the governor of Anambra State,” he said.
He also claimed that Tinubu had previously invited Atiku to work with him politically, arguing that the president recognised the former vice president’s political value.
DAILY POST reports that Wike contested the PDP presidential ticket in 2022 but lost to Atiku, who subsequently emerged as the party’s candidate for the 2023 presidential election.
'Some people still inconsolable because they didn't get candidacy' – Dele Momodu shades Wike