“Nobody Trusts Tinubu to Conduct a Free and Fair Election, Including His Supporters” – Dele Momodu

Founder of Ovation International, Dele Momodu, has expressed doubts about President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ability to conduct a free and fair election ahead of the 2027 general elections, claiming that even the President’s supporters do not fully trust the process under his leadership.

Momodu, a prominent member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the remarks during an interview on Arise News, where he discussed the political atmosphere in the country and the concerns surrounding the next presidential election.

According to him, many Nigerians believe Tinubu may be unwilling to relinquish power if he loses the 2027 presidential election. Momodu, however, insisted that Nigerians would not allow such a situation to happen, declaring that the President would be forced to leave office if he refused to accept an electoral defeat.

The media personality claimed that about 90 per cent of Nigerians would respond negatively if asked whether they trusted Tinubu to organise a credible election. He also argued that some of the President’s supporters express confidence in his victory without necessarily providing clear reasons for their certainty.

Momodu said his confidence was not based solely on the ADC or its political strategy but also on what he described as the feelings of ordinary Nigerians who, according to him, do not want Tinubu to secure another term in office.

He maintained that opposition figures and other political stakeholders were working behind the scenes to prevent the President from winning re-election. However, he declined to disclose the details of their plans, saying their strategy would not be made public.

Speaking further, Momodu alleged that some individuals who publicly support Tinubu privately hope for a different political outcome. He suggested that concerns about the current political environment had made some governors, judges and lawmakers afraid to challenge the President.

He criticised what he described as a situation in which Tinubu had become a figure whom many political officeholders were reluctant to confront, even when they believed it was time for him to leave office.

Momodu also referenced Tinubu’s political history in Lagos State, noting that the President had previously fought to secure a second term as governor. He suggested that other political actors were similarly determined to influence the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.

His comments add to the ongoing political debate ahead of the 2027 elections, particularly concerning electoral credibility, the role of opposition parties and the willingness of political leaders to accept election results.

However, Momodu’s statements about public opinion and the level of trust in Tinubu’s ability to conduct a free and fair election were his own assertions. The interview excerpt provided no polling data to independently establish the percentage of Nigerians who share his views.