2023 Presidency: PDP mustn’t make the mistake of fielding ‘hardcore’ politician — Dele Momodu
People’s Democratic Party’s presidential candidate Chief Dele Momodu has said that the party should not make the mistake of fielding a ‘hardcore’ politician as its flagbearer during its primary election which comes up on May 28 and 29 respectively.
Momodu while answering questions from 90MinutesAfrica anchored by Rudolf Okonkwo (DrDamages) and Chido Onumah said hardcore politicians cannot change Nigeria because they are profligates.
He also spoke about the gruesome murder of Deborah Yakubu a 200 level Home Economics student of Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto state who was dragged outside by her classmates, together with an irate mob stoned her death and her body set ablaze for an alleged blasphemy of Prophet Muhammad. He strongly condemned the action and said there is no where in the Qur’an that approves such babaric acts.
Speaking about the #1MillionMarch4PeterObi held across the country by supporters of Peter Obi who is also in the race for the PDP presidential ticket Momodu said Obi is a very good candidate and he has immense respect for him.
He said:
I congratulate him (Obi) but he should also persuade other Igbo aspirants to step down for him just like foremost elder statesman and Afenifere leader Pa Ayo Adebanjo said for equity, fair play and justice the South East should produce the next president. If you give me Peter Obi I will support him but PDP should not make the mistake of recycling failed politicians because Nigerians are tired of them. The party delegates should vote competence, age and capability and should not go for the highest bidder.”
The Ovation publisher also talked about the “owners of Nigeria” and how their choices impact who becomes the president.
“I was the first to talk about the owners of Nigeria and it all started during the 1999 presidential election where I voted for Chief Olu Falae because I love to vote technocrats, so it happened we recommended Rilwan Lukman who was then the Secretary General of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, OPEC, to be the vice president to Falae but he vehemently refused, saying the “owners of Nigeria” have already agreed to make former military ruler Olusegun Obasanjo the president. That is where the theory came from and I can mention some of them.
“Owners of Nigeria fall into different categories i.e, Military Generals and former presidents, billionaire businessmen, religious leaders, and traditional rulers amongst others. former president General Olusegun Obasanjo (retd.), General Ibrahim Babangida (retd.), General Abdulsalami Abubakar (retd.) General Yakubu Gowon (retd.) Goodluck Jonathan, Aliko Dangote, Femi Otedola, Jim Ovia, Tony Elumelu, Ooni of Ife, Emir of Kano, Obi of Onitsha, amongst others.”
He said all those mentioned as owners of Nigeria have common interests so they also support those who will protect their interests. When asked why he supported president Muhammad Buhari in 2015 he apologized again and gave reasons saying that since PDP was fumbling and Buhari was the alternative available but he never knew that he will fail woefully and become irremediable.
Momodu disclosed that he went to Aso Rock and met with Buhari to advise him but he did not change. He added that Nigerians should not continue to vote the same politicians except if they want to keep getting the same results. (Rifenote)
