2027: Presidency Not About Jumping, But Vision, Experience – Dele Momodu Replies Makinde

Media entrepreneur and chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has responded to Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde’s challenge to presidential candidates to demonstrate their physical stamina ahead of the 2027 general election.

Momodu, who serves as Deputy Director-General of Media and Communications for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, said the presidency requires vision, experience, tolerance and the ability to manage people and resources rather than physical agility.

He made the remarks during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Thursday, October 22, while reacting to Makinde’s demonstration at a political gathering in Akure, Ondo State.

Makinde, the presidential candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), had jumped down from a stage during the party’s South-West Presidential Campaign Town Hall Meeting at the Ondo State International Conference Centre, popularly known as The Dome.

The governor challenged other presidential candidates to replicate the action, arguing that energy and stamina should be important considerations in choosing Nigeria’s next leader.

He maintained that he would not make age the central issue of his campaign but would instead focus on candidates’ ability to cope with the demands and responsibilities of the presidency.

Reacting, Momodu dismissed the idea that physical feats should serve as a measure of presidential suitability, insisting that leadership requires intellectual capacity, experience and a clear sense of direction.

“The job of a president is not to be a high jumper or a long jumper. It is to think; it is to have clear vision; it is to have experience; it is to have exposure and be tolerant. Leadership is about managing people and resources,” he said.

Momodu also defended former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the ADC’s presidential candidate, describing him as a focused politician with extensive political experience.

According to him, Atiku has demonstrated restraint and a willingness to accommodate other political aspirants throughout his political career.

He cited the 1993 Social Democratic Party (SDP) presidential contest, during which Atiku reportedly withdrew in favour of the late Chief MKO Abiola, as an example of his ability to step aside in the interest of a broader political arrangement.

Momodu argued that Atiku’s political journey demonstrated his experience and capacity to navigate Nigeria’s complex political landscape.

He further claimed that Atiku had never prevented other politicians from contesting against him or behaved like a dictator.

The ADC chieftain also referenced past political interactions between Atiku and President Bola Tinubu to support his argument about Atiku’s political experience.

Momodu’s comments come as political parties and presidential aspirants begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general election, with questions surrounding candidates’ age, health, experience and capacity to govern increasingly featuring in public discussions.

While Makinde has emphasised physical energy and endurance, Momodu has argued that vision, experience, tolerance and resource management should remain central to evaluating presidential candidates.