A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has said Peter Obi could defeat President Bola Tinubu in the South-East and parts of the South-South in the 2027 presidential election.

Momodu said Obi, the Nigeria Democratic Congress’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, remained popular in the two regions and could pose a major challenge to Tinubu’s re-election bid.

He stated this during an interview on Arise Television on Wednesday, while discussing the opposition’s chances in the 2027 general election.

“I can tell you something. Soludo is the same. I can bet my life on it that Peter Obi will humiliate and disgrace Soludo in Anambra state. I have no question about that,” Momodu said.

He described Obi as a “rock star” in the South-East and South-South, arguing that his popularity could affect Tinubu’s electoral prospects in the regions.

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“Peter Obi is a rock star. Where he comes from, especially in the South-East and the South-South,” he said.

Momodu, however, declared his support for former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, who is also seeking to challenge Tinubu in 2027 under the ADC.

He said he would welcome calls for opposition leaders to unite, noting that their ability to work together could influence the outcome of the election.

“I’m supporting Atiku, but I will be very happy when people say, ‘Oh, if you people don’t come together, you are going to lose election,’” he said.

According to Momodu, Tinubu would face a difficult task if Obi retained his influence in the South-East and South-South, as the President would need substantial support across the southern part of the country while also competing in the North.

“The scenario is different this time. Peter Obi will humiliate Tinubu and all his supporters in the South-East and some parts of the South-South. And that’s dangerous for Tinubu,” he said.

He added that Tinubu would need to secure the three southern regions to strengthen his chances of victory, while also seeking support in the North.

“For Tinubu to win, he needs to lock down all the three regions in the South, and he now has to go and struggle in the North, where, number one, he was supported last time by President Muhammadu Buhari,” Momodu said.

Tinubu won the 2023 presidential election, while Obi finished third behind Atiku, who contested on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

Obi secured significant support in the South-East and parts of the South-South during the 2023 election, while Tinubu’s victory was supported by votes from several parts of the country.

The 2027 presidential election is expected to feature renewed competition among major political parties, with opposition figures facing calls to build a common platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress. (PUNCH)