A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bashorun Dele Momodu, has described former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as more experienced than President Bola Tinubu and former Anambra State governor Peter Obi, citing his experience at the highest level of national governance.
Momodu made the assertion on Wednesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, where he discussed the credentials of prominent political figures expected to feature in the 2027 presidential election.
According to him, Atiku’s experience in national politics, particularly his eight-year tenure as vice-president under former President Olusegun Obasanjo, gives him an advantage over other leading contenders.
“If you look at the antecedents of the three major candidates and the two major opposition candidates, between Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, you will see that Atiku is the most experienced. He has managed our country, Nigeria, at the highest level, the presidency, and his impact is still felt and spoken about till today,” Momodu said.
He traced Atiku’s political journey to the 1992 presidential primary of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), where the former vice-president contested against the late Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola before stepping down for him.
Momodu said Atiku’s decision to withdraw from the contest demonstrated his democratic credentials, particularly as he accepted the outcome without creating a political crisis despite not emerging as Abiola’s running mate.
“He is the only one who started from around 1992, contested the SDP primary against M.K.O. Abiola and after he stepped down for M.K.O. Abiola, Abiola became victorious in their party, SDP, and eventually went on to win the presidential race on June 12, 1993,” he said.
“He was appealed to step down for M.K.O. Abiola, and he did this with uncommon equanimity. He did not make any noise, he did not make any fuss about it. That was the first time he was able to show himself up as a true democrat.”
The ADC chieftain also recalled Atiku’s role in the formation of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), describing his political and business experience as an advantage in the contest for national leadership.
Atiku served as vice-president from 1999 to 2007, during which he worked alongside Obasanjo’s administration on national governance and economic management.
Comparing Atiku’s record with that of Obi, who governed Anambra State from 2006 to 2014, Momodu acknowledged the latter’s achievements but argued that his experience was largely concentrated at the state level.
“Of course, Peter Obi has tried his best. His best was demonstrated in Anambra State in the southeast of Nigeria, while Atiku’s best is at the level of vice president, controlling, managing the economy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.
“So, the difference is clear between both of them. He has matured in peace, in experience, and in exposure.”
Momodu extended his assessment to Tinubu, arguing that the president’s political experience before assuming office was largely shaped by his years in Lagos State.
Tinubu served as Lagos State governor from 1999 to 2007 and later played a prominent role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC), which defeated the PDP in the 2015 presidential election. He won the presidency in 2023.
While acknowledging Tinubu’s political background, Momodu argued that governing Lagos State was different from managing Nigeria’s diverse economic and political challenges.
“What I’m trying to say is that Tinubu’s experience was limited to Lagos, and that is why when he became president, he thought Nigeria was Lagos. And he has found out now that Nigeria is not Lagos,” he said.
The media entrepreneur also questioned claims that Tinubu’s experience as president had placed him ahead of Atiku, citing the country’s economic difficulties and the failure, in his assessment, to deliver the promised prosperity.
“Well, we are yet to see that prosperity, and if yesterday would determine today and tomorrow, it is obvious that Tinubu should retire now and let someone else do it,” Momodu said.
He maintained that Atiku’s experience in national governance made him better positioned to lead the country, while arguing that Obi’s achievements in Anambra State did not provide the same level of federal executive experience.
