Dele Momodu says Atiku Abubakar cannot bribe ADC delegates, stressing campaign funds are for logistics and election security, not corruption
Dele Momodu, chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, has dismissed concerns that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar would use money to unduly influence the party’s presidential primary.
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Momodu made the remarks on Thursday during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, addressing questions on how the party would manage the presidential ambitions of its leading members ahead of the primary election.
The ADC publisher clarified that campaign funds should not be equated with bribery, emphasising that money is primarily needed for legitimate logistics and election day operations.
“It’s not just about money. When we talk about money, there are logistics. We’re not talking about bribing,” he said.
Citing the 2024 United States presidential election as an example, Momodu noted that substantial campaign funds do not guarantee victory.
“Even in America, Kamala Harris outperformed Donald Trump in terms of raising funds. She had over a billion dollars to spend. She still didn’t win,” he explained.
Momodu further highlighted practical uses of campaign resources, such as ensuring polling stations are secure and votes are protected.
“You need, for example, on the day of the general elections, to make sure that you can manage every polling booth. Make sure nobody can rewrite your votes, nobody can steal your votes. That’s what we mean by money,” he said.
Responding to speculation about Atiku’s financial capacity, Momodu stressed that the former vice president does not control state resources.
“Atiku is a businessman. He has been a businessman since he left power in 2007. He does not control any state in Nigeria,” he said.
Momodu contrasted Atiku’s situation with other politicians who wield state influence.
“Asiwaju controls at least Lagos… Wike controls Rivers,” he said, adding that strategic planning, not money, secured Atiku’s PDP primary victory over Wike in 2022.
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“Atiku doesn’t have that. He’s been managing his business. So where will he get the billions of dollars to spend on bribing delegates? That’s why they use strategy to outsmart Wike,” Momodu stated.
