A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, on Tuesday said the presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, is one to beat in the forthcoming election.
He admitted that the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi is a third force in Nigeria’s national politics.
Momodu, now an ally of PDP flag bearer for the February 25 poll, Atiku Abubakar, however, said Obi is “struggling” because a presidential race is not a marathon and takes time to build bridges.
The former presidential aspirant spoke on Channels Television’s special election programme, The 2023 Verdict.
“Usually, in many countries, you have two mainstream political parties and candidates,” Momodu said.
“In the case of Nigeria, now we seem to have a third force, the fourth force is not doing much. And who are the leading candidates? Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Lagos and Peter Obi, former Governor of Anambra State.”
Asked if he now acknowledges Obi and the Labour Party has a third force, the PDP chieftain said, “I’m a democrat, I will not disparage anybody. He (Obi) is a third force but how forceful is that third force is the question.”
According to him, only his candidate, who is from Adamawa in Nigeria’s North-East has what it takes to reposition the country.
He dismissed the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu; and Obi, saying both candidates, though they are southerners, don’t have what it takes to reposition Nigeria.
“If Peter Obi is struggling, then the number four would have to struggle more. He is definitely struggling. A presidential race is a marathon; it is a long-distance race, it takes time to build up,” he added.
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