Dele Momodu, two-time presidential aspirant and senior figure in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), has warned that Nigeria’s democracy is under serious threat, warning the country is sliding back into a civilian dictatorship.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Momodu expressed deep concern as Nigeria approaches Democracy Day on June 12.
“I’m glad this conversation comes just before June 12, so we can reflect on how much we have damaged our democracy,” he said. “On the eve of Democracy Day, Nigeria is nearly back to civilian dictatorships where leaders ignore the people’s needs. Nigerians are hungry and neglected.”
Momodu criticized elected officials and institutions for their shameless disregard for citizens, calling their behavior “unbelievable” and fearing the damage may be beyond repair.
He lamented, “Those who fought and died for democracy, especially during the June 12 struggle, would be heartbroken if they could see today’s Nigeria.”
Turning to the ongoing crisis within the PDP, Momodu blamed Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Nyesom Wike for sowing chaos and effectively seizing control of the party.
“It’s absurd that one man, who should be focused on Abuja, dictates the PDP’s presidential ticket for 2027. This mirrors what he did in Rivers State, and he has backing from the party’s top leaders,” Momodu said. “Wike wasn’t known during the June 12 struggle, yet today he acts as if he founded Nigeria.”
He further blamed Wike for the crisis in Rivers State that led to a state of emergency—a first in Nigeria’s history—and described Wike’s actions as a “coup” against the PDP.
“What he is doing is tantamount to staging a coup against the party that made him,” Momodu asserted. “He has no moral right to dictate the party’s direction.”
Momodu also condemned President Bola Tinubu’s recent remarks labeling some Nigerians as “busybodies” and “bystanders.”
“It’s disturbing to hear the President call concerned citizens ‘busybodies’ and ‘bystanders.’ Who is a bystander in his own country? This division feels like we have two presidents,” he said, referencing Wike’s celebratory visit to a ₦30 billion conference center.
Despite his criticisms, Momodu insisted he would never join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“If I wanted to join the APC, I wouldn’t be speaking so openly. But my soul is out of PDP—I can’t accept one man dictating to seasoned leaders who have served Nigeria all their lives,” he declared.
He concluded with a stark warning that Nigeria is drifting dangerously towards autocracy unless urgent political reforms are made.
“PDP is part of the problem, no doubt. But people like Wike, acting with impunity, are dragging us backwards,” Momodu said.
