Veteran journalist and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Dele Momodu, didn’t hold back as he took a swipe at President Bola Tinubu, accusing him of sacrificing Nigeria’s democracy in a desperate bid to secure a second term.
Speaking during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Thursday, Momodu delivered a fiery critique of Tinubu’s leadership style and intentions. He described the President as a smart and calculating politician who has mastered the art of using people to get what he wants—and will stop at nothing to keep power.
“President Tinubu is powerful, no doubt,” Momodu said. “But the same man who once fought for democracy is now the one turning against it—just to secure a second term by fire or by force. That’s not just ironic, it’s tragic.”
With passion in his voice, Momodu issued a personal appeal to the President, warning him not to destroy what he once risked everything to build.
“So what if you win a second term—or even a third? So what if you could live forever and rule Nigeria forever?” he asked. “At the end of the day, what’s the point if your legacy lands in the book of shame?”
In a deeply reflective tone, Momodu reminded Tinubu of Nigeria’s political greats—Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe, and Moshood Abiola—who never achieved the presidency despite their brilliance and sacrifice.
“You got what Awolowo, Abiola, and Azikiwe couldn’t get. You got it by luck, or strategy, or even by force—but you got it,” he said. “Now you want to hold on to it so badly that you’ll wreck democracy itself? That’s the question I’d ask him if I saw him today: Is it worth it?”
Momodu’s comments come amid growing concerns over rising authoritarianism and political tension in Nigeria. For many, his words echoed a sentiment that democracy must be defended not just at the ballot box—but also by the powerful who promised to uphold it.
