Presidential aspirant and prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Dele Momodu, has expressed serious concerns about the direction Nigeria is heading politically. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Momodu said Nigeria is gradually returning to what he described as a “civilian dictatorship.”
Momodu, who has contested for the presidency twice, shared his thoughts just days before the country celebrates Democracy Day. He noted that this should be a time of reflection, not celebration, due to the worsening state of the nation’s democratic values.
“I’m very happy that today coincides with the lead-up to June 12 (Democracy Day), so that if we still have any iota of conscience left, we’ll realise we have damaged this democracy,” he said during the interview.
According to Momodu, elected leaders have become increasingly disconnected from the people. He accused those in power of ignoring the struggles of ordinary Nigerians and acting without accountability or concern for public opinion.
“The summary of it all is that on the eve of June 12, Nigeria is virtually back to civilian dictators who don’t care how you feel or what you think. Nigerians are hungry,” he said.
Momodu also pointed fingers at government officials across all levels—from the federal to the local government—stating that they act with boldness and without remorse. He described the attitude of today’s political class as shocking and dangerous for the country’s future.
“We’ve damaged this democracy, and I hope we’ve not damaged it beyond repair because the audacity, the effrontery of this set of politicians, whether in the executive, legislature, or local government, is totally unbelievable,” he noted.
He remembered the sacrifices made during the June 12 pro-democracy struggle, stating that many of those who died for the cause would be in deep sorrow if they could witness the present-day reality.
“All those who suffered for this democracy, especially those who are now in heaven—if they can see us, they would be crying,” he said.
Turning to the internal issues within his party, the PDP, Momodu criticized the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike. He accused Wike of causing disorder in the party and trying to control the 2027 presidential ticket from Abuja.
“It sounds ridiculous that one man, who should be busy in Abuja, is dictating where the PDP presidential ticket should go in 2027. What Wike is doing is a rehash of what he did in Rivers State—and he is clearly doing so with the backing of those at the top,” he said.
He also linked Wike to the political crisis in Rivers State, claiming the situation forced a state of emergency in the region. Momodu described this as an extraordinary event in the country’s political history.
“A major crisis of monumental dimension was orchestrated and aggravated by one man. Just because he wouldn’t go away quietly, a state of emergency had to be declared. It’s unprecedented in Nigeria’s history,” he noted.
Momodu further described Wike’s actions as an internal “coup” against the PDP, accusing him of turning against the very party that elevated him to national prominence.
On President Bola Tinubu’s recent remarks, Momodu was also displeased. During the reopening of the Abuja International Conference Centre, Tinubu had referred to some Nigerians as “busybodies” and “bystanders.” Momodu responded with strong words.
“I listened to the President refer to concerned Nigerians as ‘busybodies’ and ‘bystanders.’ Who is a bystander in his own country? All because of one man, Wike,” he said.
Momodu expressed outrage that while citizens are suffering, politicians are celebrating expensive projects without transparency.
“Wike was dancing after commissioning a centre said to have cost over ₦30 billion. Right now, it feels like we have two presidents in Nigeria,” he added.
Despite his frustrations with the PDP, Momodu firmly rejected any possibility of joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“If I wanted to join the APC, I wouldn’t be speaking to you like this. I’d be giving excuses, like the rest. But my soul is out of PDP—I cannot sit in a room where one man dictates to adults who have served Nigeria all their lives,” he said.
He concluded by warning that the country must urgently fix its political system to avoid sliding deeper into authoritarian rule.
“PDP is part of its own problem, no doubt. But people like Wike, doing what they do with impunity, are taking us dangerously backwards,” he said.
