The political landscape for Nigeria’s 2027 elections is already shaping up with tension, strategy, and a hint of inevitability. Dele Momodu, former PDP chieftain and media mogul, has warned that the party’s recent decision to zone its presidential ticket to the South may have handed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu an unspoken advantage.
Momodu’s concerns are rooted in strategy. According to him, the absence of a formidable Northern contender has created a vacuum, one that Tinubu has quietly filled with a methodical consolidation of power across key southern states.
“Tinubu has already locked down the South by taking out Delta, Akwa Ibom, disorganizing Rivers State – Fubara is neither here nor there, even if he comes back tomorrow, he would have to tow the line,” Momodu said, painting a picture of political chess in motion.
The former PDP presidential aspirant argues that the ruling party’s machinery is both subtle and ruthless, positioning loyalists in strategic states while leaving opposition forces scrambling. Delta, Akwa Ibom, and Rivers are no longer just battlegrounds—they are fortresses in Tinubu’s southern empire.
Momodu warned that the PDP’s zoning decision has narrowed the party’s options, forcing it to focus solely on the South and overlooking candidates who could unify broader regional support.
“By limiting the ticket exclusively to the South, the PDP risks consolidating Tinubu’s control instead of providing a competitive alternative,” he said, pointing to the danger of predictability in opposition politics.
Political observers say the environment is further complicated by a climate of fear among elected leaders. Many politicians are wary of criticizing the administration openly, fearing reprisals that could derail their careers.
“State power dictates everything. Opposition voices are muted, and political competition is constrained,” Momodu explained, highlighting the subtle ways in which political dominance is maintained beyond ballots.
Internal PDP divisions only add fuel to the fire. Debates over zoning and candidate selection have fractured party unity, creating confusion and slowing the party’s ability to strategize effectively.
Analysts note that Tinubu’s approach in the South has been surgical. By forging alliances, placing loyalists strategically, and leveraging political networks, the president has solidified his southern influence.
Momodu emphasized that the opposition must urgently rethink its strategy, exploring candidates who can appeal across regional, ethnic, and political lines if it hopes to mount a credible challenge.
“The PDP must act quickly, or the 2027 elections risk becoming a lopsided contest with limited choice for Nigerians,” he warned.
He further suggested that broadening the party’s vision beyond regional confines could revive competitive politics, giving the electorate a real alternative to Tinubu’s incumbency.
With zoning controversies deepening and Tinubu’s southern support consolidating, Momodu paints a scenario where strategic missteps by the opposition could leave the incumbent nearly unchallenged.
As the 2027 elections approach, the questions linger: Can the PDP unite, innovate, and offer Nigerians a credible alternative, or will the ruling party’s southern stronghold dictate the political narrative once again? The nation waits, tense and expectant.
