Dele Momodu Warns Of ‘Two Presidents’ As Wike’s Influence Sparks Concern.
Veteran journalist and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Dele Momodu has raised alarm over the growing influence of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), likening the situation to Nigeria having “two presidents.” Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Momodu criticised President Bola Tinubu’s apparent endorsement of Wike’s actions, warning that Nigeria’s democracy is sliding towards a “civilian dictatorship” ahead of the nation’s Democracy Day on 12 June.
Momodu’s remarks were prompted by President Tinubu’s comments during the commissioning of the refurbished International Conference Centre in Abuja on 10 June, which has been renamed in Tinubu’s honour. The president praised Wike’s efforts in transforming the FCT and urged him to ignore “busybodies and naysayers.” Momodu took issue with this, stating, “I listened to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria calling fellow Nigerians ‘busybodies.’ Who is a bystander in his own country because of one man?” He argued that Wike’s influence has grown so significant that it feels as though Nigeria is being governed by “two presidents,” with Wike acting with unprecedented audacity, even compared to Tinubu’s long-standing control over Lagos State since 1999.
The PDP stalwart also accused Wike, a former Rivers State governor and PDP member, of orchestrating a “coup” against the party by dictating its direction, including influencing the PDP’s presidential ticket for the 2027 election. “It sounds ridiculous that one man, who should be busy in Abuja, is dictating where the PDP presidential ticket should go,” Momodu said, questioning Wike’s democratic credentials and noting his absence during the historic June 12 struggle. He further blamed Wike for exacerbating the political crisis in Rivers State, which led to a state of emergency, describing it as a “crisis of monumental dimension orchestrated by one man.”
Momodu’s comments come amid ongoing tensions within the PDP, which he attributes to both internal divisions and external interference from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He alleged that the APC is using state power to destabilise opposition parties, including the PDP and Labour Party, to push Nigeria towards a one-party state. “Wike would not be that powerful if he did not have the backing of the ruling government,” Momodu claimed, suggesting that Tinubu’s administration is enabling Wike’s actions.
The publisher also expressed dismay at the state of Nigeria’s democracy, warning that the country is regressing into a system where leaders “don’t care how you feel or what you think.” He highlighted the economic hardships facing Nigerians, stating, “Nigerians are hungry,” and lamented that those who fought for democracy during the June 12 struggle would be “crying” if they could see the current state of the nation.
Wike’s camp has hit back, with his aide, Lere Olayinka, accusing Momodu of being financially motivated in his support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and dismissing his criticisms as lacking substance. Olayinka defended Wike, arguing that Momodu’s claims, including allegations that Wike drove Peter Obi out of the PDP, were unfounded.
As Nigeria approaches Democracy Day, Momodu’s outspoken critique has reignited debate about the concentration of power and the state of democratic governance. While he praised Tinubu for previously intervening to stop Wike from sealing the PDP’s national secretariat in May, Momodu urged the president to assert stronger leadership to curb Wike’s excesses and address Nigerians’ hardships, warning, “There can’t be two captains in one ship.”
The controversy underscores the fragile state of Nigeria’s political landscape, with opposition parties grappling with internal strife and the ruling APC accused of exploiting these divisions. As the 2027 elections loom, analysts suggest that resolving these tensions will be crucial for the PDP and other opposition groups to mount a credible challenge.
