Ovation Magazine publisher, Dele Momodu has declared his interest to run for president in 2023 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
His declaration is coming about two months after his return to partisan politics, and days after former Lagos Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; Ebonyi Governor Dave Umahi and Senator Orji Kalu indicated interest to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari.
Apart from these politicians, Nigeria’s former Senate President, Pius Anyim, has also officially declared interest in the presidential race. He made his intention known days back as his supporters in the South-east intensified campaign.
Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, about two weeks ago, also endorsed Anyim’s presidential bid.
There are also strong indications that a former Vice President and 2019 presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar, Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, the immediate past Senate President, Bukola Saraki,and a former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, may join the race for the PDP presidential ticket.
Momodu made his declaration at the national headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Thursday, after presenting his letter of intent to the National Chairmen of the party, Iyorchia Ayu, who in turn enjoined him to seek the support of party members.
The veteran journalist, who was a member of the Labour Party (LP) and 2011 presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), in October,2021, joined the PDP.
He had said he joined the main opposition party so as to play an active role in saving the nation from the unpleasant grip of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
He also apologised for his role in bringing Buhari to power in 2015.
Momodu was among the Nigerian elite who strongly canvassed both online and offline against the 16 years rule of the PDP and the re-election bid of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
However, in his Thursday interview with journalists at the PDP secretariat, Momodu registered his commitment to the party as well as his determination to stick to his ambition all through to the end.
He said he is better prepared for the country’s topmost political seat and is determined not to give up on his ambition, even for any of his fellow aspirants “who thinks he can buy the whole of Nigeria with his money.”
“I have been greatly humbled by the excitement already generated which reminds me of how it was 29 years ago when your good friend and my own adopted father, Chief Moshood Abiola, threw his hat in the ring.
“It is very obvious that Nigerians are eager to restore that promise of hope and the accompanying peace and joy that we lost,” he said, adding that Nigeria needs urgent reset and total redirection.
The PDP is yet to zone the presidency to any of the country’s geo-political zones but there is a possibility that the ticket will be thrown open to all interested aspirants to contest.
Momodu who was the presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP) in the 2011 presidential election, indicated his interest while handing a “letter of interest” to the PDP National Chairman Senator Iyorchia Ayu.
He said he was better prepared to run, adding that he won’t be intimidated by anyone.
At the press briefing, he said: “After due consultations with my family, friends and some stakeholders, I have arrived at the decision to contest the 2023 presidential election on the platform of our great party, PDP, if selected as the party’s candidate
“I’m better prepared now than at the time of my first foray into the fray in 2011, and I am fully ready and certainly capable for the onerous tasks and responsibilities ahead.
“I wish to place on record my firm promise and commitment not to be harassed, bullied or intimidated by anyone who feels he or she can buy the whole of Nigeria with loads of cash fraudulently and illegally filched and taken from the Nigerian people.”
Born Ayòbámidélé Àbáyòmí Ojútelégàn Àjàní Momodu on May 16, 1960, he caught his teeth as one of the nation’s best reporters in the rested National Concord newspaper, owned and published by the presumed winner of Nigeria’s freest and fairest ever 1993 presidential election, which was annulled by the regime of former Military President Ibrahim Babangida, Chief Moshood Kasimawo Abiola.
Abiola later died in controversial circumstances in detention under the regime of Gen Abdulsalami Abubakar, after he was picked by the preceding regime of the late Gen Sani Abacha, for declaring himself winner of that election.
Momodu writes a weekly column, “PENdulum”, every Saturday on the back page of Thisday newspaper. which highlights issues in Nigeria, and discusses popular topics, current events and notable people, often in a polemic and critical style.
A 1982 graduate of University of Ife, (now Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife), he holds a degree in Yoruba and a master’s degree in English Literature (1988). He lectured at the Oyo State College of Arts and Science in Ile-Ife, between 1982 and 1983 while on National Service.
Between 1983 and 1985, he was private secretary to the former Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Chief Akin Omoboriowo. In 1986, he served the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II, managing the Motel Royal Limited owned by the monarch, after which he went for his post-graduate degree in English Literature. He was during this time contributing articles to The Guardian, Sunday Tribune and other Nigerian-based publications.
On 30 July 2016, he was awarded with an honorary doctorate degree (PhD) from the University of Professional Studies, Accra, Ghana, earning him the title “Doctor of Humane Letters”.
He began his political career under Abiola. In May 1988,
He got his first job as Staff Writer with the rested African Concord magazine, owned by Abiola. A year later, Momodu was transferred to Weekend Concord as a pioneer staff. He wrote the first cover story for the paper in March 1989. He also contributed to other publications such as the National Concord, Sunday Concord, Business Concord and the Yoruba newspaper Isokan. In May 1989, he became Literary Editor, within six months he became News Editor of the Weekend Concord.
Between May 1990 and September 1991 he edited May Ellen Ezekiel’s Classique, a celebrity magazine, an appointment that made him the highest paid editor in Nigeria.
He resigned and tried his hand at doing business as a bread distributor for his mentor Chief Moshood Abiola, who owned “Wonderloaf”.
Following this, he started a public relations outfit, Celebrities-Goodwill Limited, which managed the accounts of Chief Moshood Abiola, Dr Mike Adenuga, Mr Hakeem Belo-Osagie and other distinguished Nigerians.
In 1993, he resigned to join the Moshood Abiola Presidential Campaign Organization. He was arrested and detained at Alagbon Close in Lagos, after the annulment of the 12 June Presidential election by Gen Babangida. He was severely punished by the reigning dictatorship for his pro-democratic views but was undeterred.
He was to be arrested in 1995 and charged with treason by the government of Sani Abacha, then a dictator. Momodu was accused of being one of the brains behind the pirate radio station, Radio Freedom (later Radio Kudirat), after the cold-blooded murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.
He managed to escape by masquerading as a farmer through the Seme border into Cotonou, in Benin Republic, from where he fled to Togo, Ghana and eventually to the United Kingdom. For three agonising years, he could not re-enter his homeland, Nigeria.
He has since been absolved of all accusations made by the Abacha regime, which are believed to have been orchestrated by Abacha’s anti-democratic dictatorship.
Momodu started Ovation International in 1996 while still in exile.
After the death of Abiola in prison, and the subsequent death of his persecutor, Sani Abacha, he ended his exile. Since then, he has expanded Ovation International, and it is now one of Africa’s most popular celebrity magazines; which is also reputed to be the only bi-lingual magazine in Africa, having editions printed in both English and French.
He has held an annual event since 2008, known as the Ovation Red Carol (later changed to Ovation Carol and Awards). The Red Carol is held every December, and has become one of West Africa’s most popular annual Christmas events, often involving musical performances, drama, fashion shows and award presentations for varying charitable causes.
From 2008 to 2012 it was held in Lagos, Nigeria, but was held in Accra, Ghana, in December 2013. In 2013, former president of Ghana J. J. Rawlings attended, with Wyclef Jean as the headline act, along with many other international performers, including MI, Ice Prince and Burna Boy from Nigeria.
In 2015, two shows were held for the first time – one in Lagos, Nigeria and the other in Accra, with Nigerian performer Wizkid headlining both events, as well as American singer Evelyn “Champagne” King for the Lagos show. The 2016 show was held in Lagos at Eko Hotel & Suites, with Ovation presenter Daala Oruwari and actor Richard Mofe Damijo serving as co-hosts. Korede Bello, Flavour N’abania, Reekado Banks, King Sunny Ade and Simi all performed at the Globacom-sponsored event, and was attended by Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama. A video tribute was held for the late producer OJB Jezreel in the presence of his family.
The 2017 show featured performances from Tiwa Savage, 2baba, Davido, Sinach, Sammie Okposo, D’banj, DJ Cuppy, Banky W, Sir Shina Peters and Ebenezer Obey, and was attended by guests including Femi Otedola and Aliko Dangote.
The 2018 edition, sponsored by the Esther Ajayi Foundation, featured an all-star lineup including Burna Boy, Adekunle Gold, Mr Eazi, Falz, DJ Cuppy, Teni, Mayorkun, Yinka Ayefele, Sinach, Sammie Okposo and more.
He is married to Mobolaji Abiodun with whom he has four children.
