A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has dismissed suggestions that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar could bribe delegates with billions of dollars to win the party’s presidential primary.
Momodu, publisher of Ovation Magazine, made the statement on Wednesday while appearing as a guest on Channels Television’s ‘Morning Brief’ programme.
While discussing how the ADC would manage the ambitions of its top aspirants, Momodu clarified that campaign funding should not be mistaken for bribery.
“It’s not just about money. When we talk about money, there are logistics. We’re not talking about bribing,” Momodu said.
He explained that funds are legitimately needed to cover election-day operations, including securing polling booths and protecting votes.
Asked specifically about Atiku’s financial muscle, Momodu contrasted the former vice president with some other political figures who control state resources.
“Atiku is a businessman. He has been a businessman since he left power in 2007. He does not control any state in Nigeria,” Momodu said.
“Asiwaju controls at least Lagos. I don’t know other states he controls personally, and he can do and undo. Wike controls Rivers.”
Momodu insisted that Atiku does not have access to the kind of public funds often associated with governors or politically connected state controllers.
“Atiku doesn’t have that. He’s been managing his business. So, where will he get the billions of dollars to spend on bribing delegates?” Momodu asked.
He recalled that strategy, not spending power, had previously outmanoeuvred even the biggest spenders in party politics.
“That’s why they use strategy to outsmart Wike, and that’s why Wike became inconsolable. Till today, Wike has not recovered because he was so sure that nobody could match him dollar for dollar,” Momodu added.
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