PDP presidential ticket row sparks clash between Dele Momodu, Wike’s aide

A heated political exchange has erupted within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following the recent remarks by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, on the party’s 2027 presidential ticket, drawing sharp criticism from PDP chieftain Dele Momodu and a fiery rebuttal from Lere Olayinka, Wike’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication and New Media.

The controversy began after Wike, during his monthly press briefing in Abuja, declared that the PDP would not zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the North, a comment widely interpreted as a veiled message to former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. “PDP cannot give the presidential ticket to the North (in 2027),” Wike stated, igniting a fresh round of intra-party debate.

Reacting strongly to the comment, veteran journalist and PDP stalwart Dele Momodu took to social media to denounce what he described as Wike’s “boastfulness” and “hypocrisy.”

In a strongly worded Facebook post, Momodu accused the minister of attempting to rewrite the rules of democracy and sow division within the party.

“History has taught the world that Nyesom Wike’s boastfulness will end and he shall eat the humble pie when the time comes,” Momodu wrote.

He questioned Wike’s authority to make such proclamations, saying, “When did he become the Chief Justice of Nigeria that he can misinterpret our Constitution as he wishes?”

Momodu also criticized Wike’s political track record, referencing his fallout with the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Sim Fubara, and recalling how Wike had allegedly turned on his political allies.

“Since almost three years when he lost the PDP Presidential Primary, Mr. Project has remained inconsolable,” Momodu added, in a clear jab at Wike.

In a swift and blistering response, Lere Olayinka defended his principal, accusing Momodu of being unable to accept hard truths—particularly those critical of Atiku Abubakar’s political ambitions. Olayinka dismissed Momodu’s criticisms as sycophantic and self-serving.

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“Babalawo Dele Momodu sha wants to be eating Atiku’s money,” Olayinka fired in a media chat. “Anyone who tells him the truth that Atiku should bury his thought of contesting the presidency again in 2027 is Dele Momodu’s automatic enemy.”

He further alleged that Momodu’s loyalties were financially motivated, referencing his role as Director of Media in Atiku’s 2023 campaign.

“The millions he collected as Campaign Director of Media in 2023 don sweet Ẹ̀gbọ́n oníkùn gbẹ̀ndu gbẹndu bí ọ̀yà,” Olayinka stated in a mix of English and Yoruba, implying that Momodu had become too comfortable with political patronage.

Olayinka insisted that Wike had spoken the hard truth regarding the PDP’s future and that the party must look beyond the North for its next presidential candidate. “Wike has said the truth that must be said to Atiku,” he concluded.

The verbal clash underscores the simmering tensions within the PDP as the 2027 elections begin to take shape.

With key figures already staking out positions and drawing battle lines, the road to the next presidential election promises to be politically charged and deeply divisive within the opposition party.