Obi Told Me He Was More Popular Than Atiku – Dele Momodu: 7 Key Takeaways

The news says: ADC chieftain Dele Momodu has revealed that 2027 NDC presidential candidate Peter Obi once rejected his suggestion to work with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, insisting that he was more popular than Atiku. Momodu said he advised Obi to consider partnering with Atiku, citing examples from Ghanaian and American politics, but Obi declined.

Who are the people involved in this revelation?

Dele Momodu (ADC chieftain, publisher, journalist – making the revelation). Peter Obi (former Governor of Anambra State, NDC presidential candidate for 2027). Atiku Abubakar (former Vice President, ADC presidential candidate for 2027). The context: Obi was Atiku’s running mate in 2019 (PDP). In 2023, Obi ran under Labour Party (finished third). In 2025, Obi joined ADC, then later defected to NDC with Rabiu Kwankwaso. Momodu claims he advised Obi to work with Atiku, but Obi refused, citing his own popularity.

Where did these conversations happen?

Momodu said Obi visited his homes in London, Ghana, and Lagos. The specific conversation about popularity happened during one of those visits.

What did Momodu claim Obi said?

Momodu said: “I told Peter, ‘Try and work with Atiku.’ I gave him examples… Peter told me that he’s more popular than Atiku. I swear to God. If you see him, ask him if I lied against him.”

When did this happen?

The interview was on Monday, June 8, 2026 (Symfoni TV). The news was published on June 9, 2026. The conversations between Momodu and Obi occurred at unspecified times during Obi’s visits.

Why is Momodu revealing this now?

Because both Atiku and Obi are presidential candidates for 2027 – Atiku under ADC, Obi under NDC. They are now political rivals. Momodu, an ADC chieftain loyal to Atiku, is making a strategic revelation: that Obi once rejected partnership because he thought he was “more popular.” This undermines Obi’s claim to humility and portrays him as arrogant. It also suggests that Obi is difficult to work with.

How does Momodu frame Obi’s rejection?

Momodu presents himself as an elder statesman giving wise advice – citing successful partnerships in Ghana (Mills to Mahama) and the US (Biden to Obama). He claims Obi rejected that advice based on popularity. The implication is that Obi prioritised ego over strategic alliance – and may be making the same mistake in 2027.

7 key takeaways from Dele Momodu’s revelation about Peter Obi.

1. Momodu claims Obi said he was “more popular than Atiku” – a direct quote under oath. Momodu swore: “I swear to God. If you see him, ask him if I lied against him.” That is a serious statement. He is not saying “I think Obi believed he was popular.” He is saying Obi explicitly told him. If true, it reveals Obi’s self-perception – confident, perhaps overconfident. If false, Momodu is lying under religious oath. The stakes are high.

2. The timing – just before 2027 elections – suggests political warfare, not innocent revelation. Momodu is an ADC chieftain. Atiku is the ADC candidate. Obi is the rival NDC candidate. By revealing this now, Momodu is trying to damage Obi’s image. This is not a casual interview. It is a political attack. The public should recognise the context.

3. Momodu’s advice – work with Atiku – would have prevented the 2027 opposition split. Obi and Atiku are now running against each other. The opposition vote will be divided. Tinubu (APC) will benefit. Momodu is arguing, indirectly, that Obi should have accepted a partnership – either as Atiku’s running mate or in a coalition. Obi’s refusal, based on popularity, may have handed Tinubu an advantage.

4. Obi’s response to Momodu – “I’m more popular” – may be true, but politics requires more than popularity. Obi is indeed popular, especially among young Nigerians. But popularity does not win elections alone. You need party structure, funding, regional spread, and strategic alliances. Atiku has those. Obi has energy. A partnership could have been formidable. Obi’s rejection may have been a strategic error.

5. Momodu also attacked Tinubu – claiming governors secretly oppose his re-election. Momodu said: “A lot of the governors who are supporting Tinubu are praying silently that he will not return. Because they know if he wins, he will become a full-blown emperor.” That is a separate claim. It suggests that public endorsements of Tinubu are not genuine. If true, the APC has internal cracks. If false, Momodu is spreading misinformation.

6. Momodu criticised Tinubu over Rivers State emergency – calling him “very cruel.” He said: “Fubara himself has not been able to say it, but I can say that Tinubu was very cruel. You declared a state of emergency in a state where there was nothing.” That is a direct attack on the President. Momodu is not holding back. He is positioning himself as a truth-teller – but also as a partisan opponent.

7. The revelation puts Peter Obi in a difficult position – deny or confirm? Obi must now respond. If he denies Momodu’s claim, he calls Momodu a liar – which could lead to a public feud. If he confirms it, he admits to rejecting partnership based on ego. Either option damages him. Momodu has boxed Obi into a corner. Obi’s response will be closely watched.

How this affects Nigerians and the 2027 election.

i. It deepens the rift between Atiku and Obi – making opposition coalition less likely. Any hope of a united opposition against Tinubu is now even slimmer. Atiku and Obi are fighting publicly. Their supporters are attacking each other. Tinubu’s re-election campaign will benefit from this division.

ii. It shifts media attention from governance to political gossip. Instead of discussing insecurity, inflation, and education, Nigerians are debating who said what to whom. That is exactly what politicians want – distraction. The media must not let this revelation dominate coverage at the expense of substantive issues.

iii. It tests Peter Obi’s reputation for humility. Obi is known as a frugal, humble, and accessible politician. If Momodu’s claim is true, it contradicts that image. Obi may need to address the claim directly – not with silence or deflection.

iv. It reveals the fragility of political alliances in Nigeria. Atiku and Obi were running mates in 2019. Now they are rivals. Their supporters are enemies. The same will happen again. Nigerian politics is transactional, not ideological. Allies today are opponents tomorrow. Voters should remember that.

v. It puts Dele Momodu in the spotlight – as a kingmaker or a gossip? Momodu is a respected journalist and publisher. But his revelation may be seen as either courageous truth-telling or petty political gossip. His reputation will be affected by how Obi responds and whether evidence emerges.

vi. It may lead to a public debate between Obi and Atiku – which could clarify their differences. If both candidates engage publicly, voters may learn where they stand on issues – not just popularity. A debate could be healthy. But it could also descend into personal attacks.

vii. It reminds Nigerians that election season has started – with all its drama. The 2027 election is still over a year away. But campaigns have begun. Expect more revelations, attacks, defections, and counter-attacks. The next 12 months will be noisy. Voters must stay focused on policies, not personalities.

Advice from this analyst.

1. To Peter Obi: respond to Momodu’s claim. Do not ignore it. If it is false, deny it clearly and ask Momodu for evidence. If it is true, explain the context. Did you say “I am more popular than Atiku” as a statement of fact or as political bravado? Nigerians will respect honesty more than silence.

2. To Dele Momodu: you have made a serious claim. Provide evidence. Was the conversation recorded? Are there witnesses? If you cannot provide evidence, your claim will be dismissed as hearsay. Your credibility is on the line.

3. To Atiku Abubakar: stay above the fray. Do not amplify Momodu’s claim. Let Obi respond. If you attack Obi based on this, you will appear petty. Focus on your own campaign. Let the opposition divide itself.

4. To the media: do not let this revelation dominate coverage. Ask substantive questions: What are the candidates’ plans for insecurity? For the economy? For education? Demand policy debates. Ignore gossip.

5. To the Nigerian public: do not be distracted. Politicians will say anything to win. Your focus should be on your own life – your job, your family, your community. The next election is important. But do not let political drama consume you.

6. To civil society organisations: organise debates between Atiku, Obi, Tinubu, and other candidates. Force them to discuss issues – not popularity. Voters need to compare policies, not egos.

7. To the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC): ensure that campaigns remain peaceful. Personal attacks can escalate into violence. Monitor political statements. Sanction candidates who incite hatred. Your role is to protect the process.

Rhetorical question for you.

If Peter Obi truly believes he is “more popular than Atiku” – and Dele Momodu is willing to swear to God that Obi said so – does popularity alone make a better president?

The answer is no. Popularity gets you votes. But governance requires experience, coalition-building, and deep understanding of the machinery of state. Atiku has been a vice president. He has run for president multiple times. He knows the system. Obi has been a governor. He has run once. He is learning. Popularity may win the election. But experience wins governance. The question for 2027 is not who is more popular. It is who is more prepared. Voters must decide – not based on what candidates said in a living room, but on what they can do in Aso Rock.

Akahi News reports that Dele Momodu has dropped a bombshell. Peter Obi, he claims, rejected a partnership with Atiku because “I am more popular.” The statement – if true – reveals Obi’s confidence and his strategic choice. The statement – if false – damages Momodu’s credibility. Either way, the 2027 opposition is fractured. Atiku and Obi are rivals. Their supporters are at war. Tinubu watches from the Presidential Villa, smiling. A divided opposition is a re-elected president’s dream. The question is whether Obi and Atiku can overcome their differences – or whether they will hand Tinubu a second term on a platter. The answer will determine Nigeria’s future.