Understood. This is the correct professional reporter-style rewriMedia entrepreneur and political commentator Dele Momodu has cautioned the African Democratic Congress to enforce internal discipline early to avoid repeating the internal crises that weakened the Peoples Democratic Party, particularly the prolonged influence wielded by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike within the opposition party.
Momodu, who was present when opposition figures gathered in Abuja last year to adopt the ADC as a coalition platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress, recalled that the meeting was marked by assurances of openness, inclusiveness, and strict adherence to democratic principles. He noted that participation in the coalition was voluntary and that the party’s conveners pledged that no group or individual would be allowed to destabilise the ADC, unlike what he described as the chaos that later engulfed the PDP.
According to him, those commitments were reassuring, and he expressed confidence in the leadership structure of the party, particularly the appointment of an Army veteran and former Senate President, David Mark, as chairman, whom he believed would not tolerate indiscipline or disorder.
However, Momodu observed that recent developments within the coalition have been troubling. He said certain groups have begun introducing aggression and unruly behaviour into what was intended to be a cooperative and collaborative political effort. He questioned how a coalition could function effectively if some factions insist on producing the party’s presidential ticket through entitlement or coronation, rather than through election, persuasion, or consensus.
He also criticised the exchange of insults and confrontational rhetoric among coalition partners, warning that no single group can win a national election without the support of others. Momodu stressed that such conduct undermines unity and weakens the collective strength of the opposition.
Drawing parallels with the PDP’s internal struggles, he warned that this was how Nyesom Wike was able to hold the party firmly for years until it became difficult to rein him in or remove him. He urged the ADC to act decisively and enforce discipline before internal divisions become entrenched.
Momodu concluded that the ADC must remain a party built on unity, order, and mutual respect, cautioning that it should not degenerate into disorder and constant internal conflict if it hopes to serve as a credible alternative in Nigeria’s political landscape.
