Dele Momodu: “I Would Swim the Atlantic for Tinubu, If He Upheld Democracy”

Publisher and political figure Dele Momodu says he remains a staunch critic of President Bola Tinubu’s current administration, despite sharing a decades-long history with him in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggle.

Speaking during a recent interview on Arise TV, Ovation International publisher Dele Momodu clarified his stance on President Bola Tinubu. While affirming deep personal respect for the President, Momodu emphasized that his duty to principle outweighs personal loyalty.

“I will ordinarily swim to the depth of the Atlantic Ocean for Tinubu if he was practising what we fought against when we were fighting the military,” Momodu explained. “There is no earthly reason why I would not, but I would be a bloody hypocrite if after we claimed to have changed the way of military dictatorship, we now replace it with civilian dictatorship. That’s my only problem with him.”

A History Forged in the Pro-Democracy Movement

Momodu and Tinubu’s political connection traces back over thirty years to the resistance against military rule in the 1990s.

Following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election won by Chief Moshood Abiola, both men actively fought for democratic restoration. Tinubu was a founding member of the National Democratic Coalition (NADEKO), while Momodu worked directly on Abiola’s presidential campaign.

During General Sani Abacha’s regime, both activists faced severe crackdowns:

• Bola Tinubu fled into exile in 1994, organizing democratic opposition from the UK and the United States until returning after Abacha’s death in 1998.

• Dele Momodu was detained for his advocacy before escaping into exile through Benin Republic, Togo, and Ghana, eventually settling in the UK.

Momodu credited Tinubu’s strategic political victory during those years with teaching him how to stand against political establishments.

“He was one of those who trained me and instilled this kind of discipline that, look, you can take on the establishment and win,” Momodu stated, noting that his criticism of the administration remains focused purely on policy and governance rather than personal attacks.

Principles Over Personal Ties

Since Tinubu assumed the presidency, Momodu has emerged as a prominent opposition voice, voicing strong concerns over the country’s socio-economic policies and political direction.

While acknowledging the support he received from Tinubu in previous years, Momodu maintained that safeguarding democratic freedoms requires holding former allies accountable, regardless of past bonds.