A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Dele Momodu, says President Bola Tinubu is surrounded by some incredibly ruthless fanatics whose entire existence depend on him.
This, he said, has been responsible for his decision not to join the political camp of Tinubu, whom he described as “soft-hearted and fabulously or strategically generous”.
Momodu said this in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Wednesday.
The journalist-turned-politician described the environment surrounding Tinubu as “toxic”, noting that many of the president’s lieutenants see everyone else as a “robot” that they can control.
He said, “On October 25, 2022, long before the 2023 Presidential election, I was interviewed on Channels Tv, by @seunokin, and he asked my reason for not supporting Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. My response must have caught him off guard. I described Tinubu as a “potential dictator…”.”
Momodu added, “God knows, that was the honest TRUTH, and a perfect description of how I felt about him. I got so many calls that night and I stood by my assertion. While TINUBU may be soft-hearted and fabulously or strategically generous, he is surrounded by some incredibly ruthless fanatics whose entire existence depend on him.
“They detest men of independent means or opinion. I confess to not being able to function in such a toxic environment.
“So, it was no accident, that I avoided their group in the last 24 years. What’s strange, and surprising, is that they still think everyone is a robot they can control. But I chose my FREEDOM, and doubled my personal efforts at succeeding in my modest business… But still they were not happy.”
Momodu said he joined forces with Alhaji Atiku Abubakar ahead of the 2023 polls because of the former vice president’s “democratic credentials”.
“My respect for ALHAJI ATIKU ABUBAKAR quadrupled because of his very visible democratic credentials.
“You will never find political desperados around him. He received countless allegations that I was a Tinubu mole/spy but it never bothered him. He saw my assignment more as that of a professional one that required a technocrat than a hard-core politician. And that was our relationship throughout his campaign, and till this day,” he said.
Momodu added that Atiku never sought the services of political thugs nor expert riggers despite warnings that some opponent might resort to that.
“His absolute faith in the rule of Law is extraordinary and remarkable… He has placed his faith in Allah and hopes the Supreme Court will do what is just.
“He will never allow innocent lives to be wasted on his behalf… Today, Tinubu’s goons have absolutely confirmed our worst fears, that freedom of speech and association would be recklessly curtailed in the days and weeks ahead.
“But we entertain no fear whatsover. One thing I’m sure of is that we’ve seen it all before, and this too shall pass…,” he said.