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Momodu reacts to claims that Obi can’t accept VP slot in 2027 race
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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has condemned comments by political economist, Professor Pat Utomi, on the party’s 2027 presidential ticket, saying anyone who insists that former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, cannot be a vice-presidential candidate is “not a democrat.”
Momodu’s remarks, via a post on his verified X account on Friday, was in reaction to recent comments by Utomi, who vowed to withdraw his support for Obi if the former governor accepted a vice-presidential position in the emerging opposition coalition following his defection to the ADC.
Expressing his shock at Utomi’s position, Momodu said the stance reflected a lack of political realism and democratic thinking.
“Anyone insisting that Obi cannot run behind anyone is definitely not a Democrat who wishes to rescue Nigeria from a one man dictatorship,” Momodu wrote.
While noting his long-standing relationship and respect for Utomi, Momodu said political success in Nigeria required pragmatism rather than idealism
“Professor Pat Utomi is one of the brightest Nigerians I love and respect,” he said, recounting their personal and professional history.
However, he argued that Nigeria’s political environment differed from the models often cited by Utomi.
“My candid view is that every nation must have its own organic strategies while it may study and borrow ideas from elsewhere.
“The Nigerian topography is an abnormal configuration,” he said.
Momodu noted that intellectual brilliance alone rarely translated into electoral success in Nigeria, where what he described as “primordial sentiments” often shape outcomes.
“This is why the above statement credited to my egbon, Pat, often breaks my heart.
“He seems not to have learnt from his own experience that ‘big grammar’ does not win elections,” he added.
Drawing parallels from recent political contests, Momodu said parties often prioritised electability over perceived brilliance.
“APC had a far more fascinating and cerebral Yemi Osinbajo, yet it chose Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its flagbearer in 2023. The key word is reality,” he said.
He also recalled how Obi gained national prominence in 2019 when former Vice President Atiku Abubakar selected him as his running mate.
“In 2019, one visionary gentleman, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, placed Obi on the national platform against the wishes of many governors and stakeholders,” Momodu stated.
He urged Obi to embrace party discipline, saying, “Obi should be encouraged to be a humble party man.”
Momodu’s comments came hours after another ADC chieftain, Dr Ladan Salihu, also called on Utomi and Obi’s supporters to keep calm amid growing debate over the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
Speaking on Arise Television’s The Morning Show on Friday, Salihu urged restraint and a focus on party building rather than early contestations over the party’s presidential ticket.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has commenced a city-wide desilting of drainage channels following heavy torrential rainfalls that triggered flash floods across parts of the nation’s capital.
Inspecting the ongoing clearance operations along the Airport Expressway on Thursday, Mr Richard Dauda, acting Executive Secretary of the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), said the exercise was directed by the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike.
The directive followed a flash flood that flooded the Airport Expressway on Tuesday.
According to Dauda, the effort is to mitigate flood risks during the peak of the rainy season.
Dauda noted that while recent downpours align with earlier meteorological warnings and climate change trends, the Abuja Master Plan inherently recognises certain areas, including the Airport Expressway axis as flood plains.
He assured residents that while resilient infrastructure was originally built to handle high water volumes, human activities have severely compromised its efficiency.
“Some of these drainage facilities over time have been silted. Part of the cause is residents dumping refuse into drainage channels.
“When rain falls, it washes down polythene bags, waste, and even large objects that block the outlets,” he said.
Dauda highlighted two major human factors aggravating the flash floods: illegal development and widespread infrastructure vandalism.
Exposing a major choke point along the expressway, Dauda pointed to a triple-cell box culvert meant to discharge a powerful stream flowing from the Galadima Roundabout.
He explained that a private developer had illegally constricted the waterway further downstream by constructing retaining walls to expand a personal plot.
“What that causes is that the volume of water that ought to pass no longer passes, causing detention, backflow, and eventual flooding.
“To restore adequate discharge capacity, we must remove the structures built by this developer,” he said.
Dauda also decried the theft of metal gully inlet covers by vandals, which allows large debris to flow directly into underground drains instead of being sieved at the surface.
“When vandals steal these covers, it’s like stealing from yourself as a taxpayer,” he remarked.
To permanently curb the theft, he revealed that the FCDA is exploring replacement materials made from non-recyclable compounds rather than steel or cast iron.
The FCDA boss confirmed that workers were already desilting trapezoidal drains, U-channels, and culvert outlets along the Airport Expressway, with plans to reconstruct damaged points where necessary.
Dauda urged Abuja residents to stop dumping refuse into waterways, warning that government infrastructure can only protect the city if public cooperation is guaranteed.
The Federal Capital Territory Administration, FCTA has began disilting of accumulated silt, sand and other objects blocking drains are being removed.
Men from FCTA were captured on camera as they clear blockades caused by flood.
See photos below:
The Black Market Dollar-to-Naira Exchange Rate for 3rd September 2026 Can Be Accessed Below.
NOTE: The exchange rate changes hourly. It depends on the volume of dollars available and the Demand. This means…you can buy or sell 1 dollar at a certain rate, and the price can change (high or low) within hours.
The exchange rate fluctuates hourly based on the supply and demand of dollars in the market.
What’s the dollar to naira black market today, 3rd September 2026?
The exchange rate for a dollar to naira at Lagos Parallel Market (Black Market) players sell a dollar for ₦1403 and buy at ₦1395 on Thursday, 3rd September, 2026, according to sources at Bureau De Change (BDC).
Please note that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) does not recognize the parallel market (black market), as it has directed individuals who want to engage in Forex to approach their respective banks.
Dollar to Naira Black Market Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) Black Market Exchange Rate Today
Selling Rate ₦1405
Buying Rate ₦1395
Dollar to Naira CBN Rate Today
Dollar to Naira (USD to NGN) CBN Rate Today
Highest Rate ₦1335
Lowest Rate ₦1326
Flooding: FCTA begins desilting of drains, warns against vandalism, illegal structures
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