Veteran journalist and media entrepreneur, Dele Momodu, has officially joined the African Democratic Congress (ADC), ending months of speculation over his next political move following his exit from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Momodu declared his membership of the ADC on Thursday in Benin City, where he also ruled out any ambition to contest for the Senate or the governorship of Edo State, insisting that his interest lies in promoting the welfare of the people rather than seeking elective office.
“People have asked me what I want, whether I want to be governor or senator. No,” Momodu said. “I simply want to promote the best interests of our people.”
The former presidential aspirant described his decision to join the ADC as a deliberate step aimed at strengthening opposition politics and preventing the emergence of a one-party state in Nigeria.
“It is hard to imagine the pride I feel at this moment as I undertake this self-led event to pick up my membership card of the African Democratic Congress, the new opposition coalition in Africa’s most populous nation,” he said.
According to him, his mission in politics is to collaborate with like-minded Nigerians to rescue the country from what he described as creeping one-party dominance.
“My mission is to join hands of fellowship with citizens of like minds to rescue, recover and reset Nigeria. Nigeria must be rescued from a one-party state and a one-party parliament,” Momodu stated.
Speaking on his reconnection with his ancestral roots in Edo State, Momodu said it took him more than three decades to trace his lineage, crediting Senator Isa Raymond for helping him reconnect with his home community.
“It took me a long time, over 30 years, before I could discover my ancestral home. Senator Isa Raymond adopted me from the very first day we met and coordinated everything when I returned home,” he said.
Momodu also said his decision to join the ADC was driven by a desire to contribute meaningfully to Edo State’s political development while keeping the welfare of the people at the centre of governance.
Reflecting on his personal journey, he noted that he had spent decades building a life and career abroad but was now fully reintegrating into Nigeria’s political process.
DAILY GAZETTE recalls that the Ovation Magazine publisher resigned from the PDP in July 2025, citing the party’s alleged takeover by anti-democratic forces.
In his resignation letter addressed to the PDP Chairman of Ward 4 in Ihievbe, Owan East Local Government Area of Edo State, Momodu said the party had been hijacked “in broad daylight” by forces working against internal democracy.
He added that it was honourable to leave what he described as a “carcass” of the party and align with the ADC-led opposition coalition.
