Peter Obi: ‘Asking Atiku To Step Down Based on Emotion Sentiment Is a Monumental Tragedy’

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.Dele Momodu, a prominent chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has argued that calls for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to withdraw from the 2027 presidential race on the basis of emotion and sentiment amount to a “monumental tragedy.”

His remarks follow demands from some supporters of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, urging the ADC to hand its 2027 presidential ticket to Obi.

Peter Obi, who secured over six million votes to place third in the 2023 presidential election behind Atiku, recently dumped the Labour Party and defected to the ADC.

Some APC heavyweights, including the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, mocked Obi’s move, hinting that he might eventually return as Atiku’s running mate.

Meanwhile, personalities such as Professor Pat Utomi and rights activist Aisha Yesufu have threatened to withdraw their support should Obi accept a vice-presidential slot under Atiku.

Responding to the ongoing debate, Momodu told Punch in an interview on Thursday that there is no scenario in which Atiku would step aside for Peter Obi in the 2027 election cycle.

He noted that attempts to discredit Atiku’s ambition have become a repetitive theme, insisting that the former Vice President has no reason to abandon his presidential aspiration.

Momodu stated:
“Many people have approached me to advise former Vice President Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to willingly pull out of the 2027 presidential race.

“When I ask why, they claim he is too old—not because they foresee any health concerns, not because he is less fit than President Bola Tinubu.”

He argued that prejudice, not logic, fuels the suggestion that Atiku should not contest again.

He continued:
“Out of unfounded bias, they say Tinubu can run but Atiku shouldn’t. I read somewhere that the best of us should not play second fiddle to the worst of us. With due respect, who defines the ‘worst’?

“Is Atiku’s fault that he is well-educated, articulate, and more intellectually grounded than many of his peers and opponents?”

Momodu further highlighted Atiku’s achievements and contributions to national development.

“Are his accomplishments in business, academia, technology, philanthropy, and democracy now considered his offences? He’s no saint, but unlike many of his contemporaries, he has not lived off government resources since leaving office in 2007.”

He concluded by describing the push for Atiku to withdraw based on emotion rather than merit as deeply misguided:

“Expecting our most experienced and globally aware aspirant to discard his credentials because of sentimental demands is, frankly, a monumental tragedy.”