Undemocratic, Dele Momodu tackles Utomi for ruling out Obi as VP

African Democratic Congress chieftain, Dele Momodu, has criticised remarks made by political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, concerning the get together’s 2027 presidential ticket and the political way forward for former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Momodu, a former presidential aspirant, reacted in a submit on his verified X account on Friday, the place he faulted Utomi’s current feedback following Obi’s defection to the ADC.

Utomi, in a Channels Tv interview on Thursday, had warned that he would withdraw his assist for Obi if the previous Anambra State governor accepted the place of vice-presidential candidate within the rising opposition coalition.

However Momodu mentioned he was stunned by Utomi’s stance, insisting that anybody who guidelines out the potential of Obi serving as a operating mate doesn’t imagine in democratic selection.

“Anybody insisting that Obi can’t run behind anybody is unquestionably not a Democrat who needs to rescue Nigeria from one man dictatorship,” Momodu wrote.

Whereas acknowledging his admiration for Utomi, Momodu argued that politics in Nigeria requires strategic realism quite than inflexible idealism.

“Professor Pat Utomi is among the brightest Nigerians I really like and respect,” he mentioned, noting their lengthy private {and professional} relationship. Nevertheless, he careworn that Nigeria’s politics doesn’t all the time mirror world democratic fashions.

“My candid view is that each nation should have its personal natural methods whereas it might examine and borrow concepts from elsewhere. The Nigerian topography is an irregular configuration,” he mentioned.

The writer famous that mental excellence alone is usually inadequate in figuring out electoral victory in Nigeria, the place voting patterns are formed by what he described as ‘primordial sentiments.’

“That is why the above assertion credited to my egbon, Pat, typically breaks my coronary heart. He appears to not have learnt from his personal expertise that ‘huge grammar’ doesn’t win elections,” he added.

Momodu argued that political events usually prioritise candidates with stronger electoral prospects over these perceived as intellectually superior.

“APC had a much more fascinating and cerebral Yemi Osinbajo, but it selected Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its flagbearer in 2023. The key phrase is actuality,” he mentioned.

He additional recalled that Obi’s rise to nationwide political prominence started when he was chosen as operating mate to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

“In 2019, one visionary gentleman, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, positioned Obi on the nationwide platform towards the desires of many governors and stakeholders,” Momodu said.

He urged Obi to stay targeted and dependable to his new get together construction, including, “Obi must be inspired to be a humble get together man.”