Veteran journalist and former presidential aspirant, Dele Momodu, has formally aligned with the African Democratic Congress (ADC), declaring that his return to partisan politics is driven not by personal ambition but by a desire to promote the collective interests of Nigerians and end what he described as the drift towards a one-party state.
Speaking at his declassification and ADC membership declaration in Benin City on Thursday, Momodu said the move marked a deeply personal and political homecoming after decades of self-discovery and professional life outside his ancestral roots.
“Officially set to declare for the African Democratic Congress. It took me a long time, over 30 years, before I could discover my ancestral home,” Momodu said.
“Let me thank one of my fathers who is present here today, Senator Isa Raymond. From the very first day he met me, he adopted me as a child. When I came home for the first time, he coordinated everything.”
Reflecting on his years abroad, Momodu spoke of the effort it took to establish himself economically in the United States, saying this had given him both stability and perspective.
“It took me over 50 years — you won’t believe it — of excruciating hard work and meticulous planning to plant roots for my modest income in the United States,” he said. “Today, nobody can say I have no roots in the United States. But today, I am standing before you as I firmly reintegrate myself into the political process of my state.”
Momodu dismissed speculation about any immediate personal ambition for elective office, stressing that his political engagement is broader and more ideological.
“People have asked me, ‘What do you want? Do you want to be governor or senator?’ No,” he said. “I just want to promote the best interests of our people.”
Describing his decision to formally take up ADC membership as a critical step, Momodu said: “It is hard to imagine the pride I feel at this moment as I undertake my self-led event in DC to pick up the membership card of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, the new opposition coalition in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation. This is only the first and most important leg of this political journey.”
He outlined what he described as his core political mission, warning against political domination by a single party.
“My mission in politics is to join hands of fellowship with citizens of like minds to rescue, recover, and reset Nigeria,” Momodu said. “Nigeria must be rescued from a one-party state and one parliament.”
In a lighter moment, he added: “I don’t think they manufacture people like Baba Eke in heaven.”
Momodu said the success of the political journey ahead would depend on the commitment of Nigerians who are dissatisfied with the current direction of the country.
“This journey will require the total commitment of the majority of Nigerians who refuse to be enslaved in their own country,” he said.
He also paid tribute to party leaders and supporters, singling out ADC stalwart Zipzon Oyebu for praise.
“I am eternally inspired by our leader and father, Zipzon Oyebu, for his judiciousness, resoluteness, and sacrifice for the well-being of our nation. Thank you, Baba,” he said.
Thanking supporters who attended the event despite it holding on a weekday, Momodu added: “Thank you all for your love, because for people to leave their homes and offices to be here on a weekday is not a joke. I promise you, I do not think it is a joke.”
He concluded by expressing confidence in the leadership around him, saying: “I lend to Zipzon Oyebu the realisation of his ability to go down in history in our nation.”
Boluwatife Enome
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