Nigerian Elections: Strategy Over Zoning, Says Chief Dele Momodu

Chief Dele Momodu, a veteran journalist and publisher, says the ongoing debate over zoning ahead of the 2027 general elections is a distraction. He made these comments during an interview on Arise Television, monitored by Persecondnews on Tuesday.

What Momodu Said

Momodu argued that the country’s political discourse has been overly focused on zoning. This has been at the expense of pressing national challenges. “The APC and President Tinubu understand very well that if they don’t bring in this zoning conversation, their path becomes more complicated. But I think it's a distraction from the real issues,” he said.

Understanding Nigerian Politics

Momodu maintained that political success in Nigeria depends on strategy and vote aggregation across regions, not zoning arrangements. He said these arrangements aren't backed by the constitution. “Politics is a game of numbers. If you can't win elections, you're wasting your time talking about sentiment or zoning,” he stated.

Atiku Abubakar's Relevance

He insisted that electoral outcomes can't be reduced to regional sentiment. Instead, voting patterns across Nigeria reflect shifting alliances and political strategy rather than fixed ethnic loyalty. Momodu also defended the political relevance of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing him as a seasoned politician who understands the mechanics of electoral strategy.

Atiku's Approach

He argued that Atiku has consistently remained a major force in Nigeria’s political space because of long-term planning and coalition building. Dismissing him would be politically naive. According to him, Atiku’s approach reflects a deep understanding of Nigeria’s electoral system. He described it as “meticulously structured around numbers and alliances rather than emotion.”

Past Elections

“People underestimate Atiku at their own risk. Politics here isn't about sentiment; it's about arithmetic, structure, and experience.” Momodu also referenced past elections to support his argument. He insisted that no single candidate or region can win the presidency without broad national support.

Opposition Fragmentation

He warned that opposition fragmentation ahead of 2027 could hand an advantage to the ruling party. Divided coalitions rarely succeed in Nigeria’s presidential contests. “If the opposition fractures, the biggest beneficiary is always the incumbent,” he said.

The Realities of Nigerian Politics

Momodu maintained that the realities of Nigerian politics continue to reward strategy, alliances, and numbers over sentiment and zoning arguments. Any political calculation that ignores this structure risks being outperformed at the ballot.

Who Is Chief Dele Momodu?

Chief Dele Momodu is a well-known Nigerian journalist, publisher, and politician. He's been a prominent figure in Nigerian politics and media for many years, known for his insightful analysis and commentary on political issues.

The 2027 general elections are still over

a year away, but the debate over zoning and strategy is already heating up. Momodu's comments are likely to add fuel to the fire. Politicians and analysts will continue to discuss the best approach to winning the elections.