Atiku’s influence on Dele Momodu driven by financial ties  – Wike’s aide

Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused media personality and Ovation publisher, Dele Momodu, of being financially motivated in his continued support for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Wednesday, Olayinka alleged that Momodu’s loyalty to Atiku is driven purely by financial gain, warning that the media figure would abandon the former presidential candidate once the flow of money ceases.

“Only someone like Dele Momodu, who does not have knowledge of anything apart from his stomach, would claim that it was Wike who drove Peter Obi out of the PDP,” Olayinka said, dismissing recent comments made by Momodu.

He further accused Atiku of undermining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the years, recalling how, in his words, Atiku “frustrated the party’s efforts to win Lagos State in 2003.”

Olayinka also challenged Momodu’s claim that Atiku had proposed zoning the PDP presidential ticket to the Southeast in the 2023 elections, noting that Atiku had already purchased the party’s Expression of Interest form before the zoning committee had made any formal decision.

“In his display of arrogance or mischief, Dele Momodu claimed that Atiku wanted PDP to field a candidate from the eastern part of the country. But he chose not to mention that the same Atiku had already declared his interest in running for president,” he stated.

The FCT Minister’s spokesperson went further, pointing out a trend of close political allies distancing themselves from Atiku after elections. He cited the exits of former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, former Delta State Governor and Atiku’s 2023 running mate Ifeanyi Okowa, and others as evidence of what he described as Atiku’s self-serving political approach.

“Why did everyone who worked closely with Atiku during the 2019 and 2023 elections leave him after the polls? The answer lies in Atiku’s perceived selfishness,” Olayinka stated.

He also took aim at Momodu personally, questioning his loyalty and ethnic pride. “Wike is a proud Ikwerre man, unlike Dele Momodu who isn’t proud of his Edo origin,” Olayinka claimed.

Atiku’s influence on Dele Momodu driven by financial ties  – Wike’s aide