Media mogul and political figure Dele Momodu has accused President Bola Tinubu of turning Nigerian politics into a “game of survival,” where opposition figures are allegedly pressured into defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) under duress rather than conviction.
Speaking on Channels TV’s Politics Today, Momodu asserted that recent defections from rival parties are not signs of admiration for the president’s leadership but a response to relentless pressure and fear of political persecution.
Without naming names initially, Momodu pointed to “systematic harassment” of political actors as a key reason for the swelling numbers in the ruling party.
He cited former Delta governor Ifeanyi Okowa and current governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s rumoured or confirmed moves to the APC as examples of a troubling trend.
“These defections aren’t driven by love for the president or belief in his performance.
They’re survival moves. Politicians today are more concerned about staying out of detention than standing by their principles,” he said.
Recalling an era when enduring detention for one’s beliefs was seen as noble — referencing Mandela, Abiola, and Awolowo — Momodu lamented that modern politics is now driven by fear and self-preservation.
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He warned that a culture of coercion is emerging under the current administration, where federal institutions are allegedly weaponised to pressure governors and opposition members into falling in line.
“There’s a quiet ultimatum being handed out: ‘Join us and be left alone — resist, and face the consequences.’ It’s crude, but sadly, effective,” he said.
The PDP chieftain said he does not fault governors who yield to such pressure, adding that many face a difficult choice between political survival and principled opposition.
In a broader critique of the APC, Momodu said the party’s cohesion rests less on ideology and more on access to federal resources.
“The APC is grappling with internal instability. What binds them now is money and influence, not unity of purpose,” he claimed.
He also took aim at the party’s tendency to shift blame, noting its frequent criticisms of former President Buhari, only to now seek reconciliation with him in Kaduna.
On the situation in Rivers State, Momodu condemned the removal of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as an example of brute political force, suggesting the incident sent a chilling signal to other dissenting voices.
“Rivers wasn’t in crisis, yet the governor was removed overnight in a move clearly orchestrated from Abuja,” he said.
“No repercussions followed. That silence spoke volumes.”
He urged President Tinubu to prioritise democratic values over political entrenchment.
“As someone who once championed democracy, President Tinubu must not become the very thing he fought against. If power is secured through intimidation, the legacy left behind will not be one to admire,” Momodu warned.
