Chief Dele Momodu, Chairman of Ovation Group, once again voiced his growing dissatisfaction with the state of the nation. In an interview with City People Publisher before his 65th birthday, Dele Momodu reflected on his long-standing concerns about Nigeria’s direction, dating back to 1982 when he joined the opposition under Chief Obafemi Awolowo.
He noted that every time it seemed Nigeria was making progress, the country would take steps backwards. Speaking on his political stance, Dele Momodu revealed that he did not support President Bola Tinubu during the last elections, staying true to his principles as a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He emphasised that he is not a career politician who switches parties for convenience; for him, crossing over would require a compelling reason.
Recalling a moment when the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, questioned his refusal to support her husband, Momodu explained that his decision was based on principle, not personal animosity. While he admired Tinubu during their joint support for Chief MKO Abiola in the early 1990s, his political convictions remain firm.
Dele Momodu expressed frustration over the ease with which Nigerian politicians switch allegiances, warning that it weakens the political system. Drawing a comparison to Ghana, where political crossovers are rare and frowned upon, he suggested that constitutional reforms might be necessary to restore integrity to Nigeria’s political state.
Touching on the current administration, Momodu criticized the immediate removal of petroleum subsidies on May 29, 2023, describing the move as reckless. He likened the situation to a doctor administering a wrong injection to a patient, causing the patient to fall into a coma — a coma from which Nigeria, according to him, is yet to recover.
He argued that rather than taking such drastic measures, the government should have focused on stabilizing the economy first.
While he had initially hoped for innovation from Tinubu’s presidency based on his track record in Lagos, Momodu expressed disappointment at the lack of visible progress. He also addressed the rise in dictatorial tendencies, warning that Nigeria’s democracy is under threat. Having fought against dictatorship in the past, he stressed the need to uphold democratic values and urged President Tinubu not to allow himself to be misled into behaving like an emperor.
Addressing specific cases, Momodu pointed to the political crisis in Rivers State, accusing the federal government of interference and oppression against Governor Fubara in a bid to control the state’s resources. He recalled how Rivers had historically been a major source of political funding during national campaigns.
He also expressed concerns about similar attempts to destabilize other states, such as Osun, where he noted that Governor Ademola Adeleke has been delivering good governance despite limited resources. Momodu viewed efforts to disrupt governance in Osun as ironic, considering it is the ancestral home of President Tinubu himself.
Furthermore, he highlighted the crisis in Kano State, where two Emirs now claim the throne, describing it as an unprecedented crisis reflective of deeper political instability being fueled by desperation within the ruling party. According to him, there appears to be a growing panic among the leadership, knowing that if elections were held today, victory might not be guaranteed.
Ultimately, Chief Dele Momodu urged the government to focus on delivering good governance, believing that with sincere service to the people, political dominance would naturally follow.
Promise Babatunde
