Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation Magazine, has warned that a “quiet and peaceful revolution” is unfolding in Nigeria, cautioning that it could trigger a political crisis reminiscent of the June 12, 1993 presidential election annulment if not properly managed.

“Let me tell you something that a very quiet peaceful revolution is brewing in Nigeria and if it is mismanaged, we will go back to the days of June 12, 1993,” Mr Momodu said an Arise TV programme on Monday. 

Mr Momodu, who spoke against the backdrop of the leadership crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the coalition-backed African Democratic Congress (ADC), alleged that recent developments in the two political parties are aimed at weakening opposition ahead of the 2027 general election.

According to him, the situation within the opposition parties bears similarities to the pro-democracy struggle era, particularly the period that led to the emergence of the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) following the annulled 1993 election.

Mr Momodu also criticised the continued influence of a faction within the PDP allegedly backed by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, attributing its survival to “federal might.”

He noted that the PDP faction continues to survive due to the influence of Mr Wike, whom he accused of openly engaging in anti-party activities without consequence.

“The Wike led PDP faction is alive because of the federal might. There is no other way that Wike, a man who openly did anti-party and said that ‘I already have my candidate in advance’ would tell me they are right and the other people are wrong,” he explained.

He further alleged that attempts to weaken opposition parties have triggered a wave of defections into the ADC, which he described as a temporary refuge for displaced political actors.

Mr Momodu noted that the party has recorded a surge in membership, citing the recent defection of Rabiu Kwankwaso, a former governor of Kano State, as a key factor driving momentum, despite uncertainties over the recognition of the David Mark-led ADC leadership by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

He warned that the growing political realignment reflects deep dissatisfaction within the political system and could undermine democratic stability if mishandled.

While drawing parallels with the NADECO era, Mr Momodu called on President Bola Tinubu to remain receptive to honest advice and avoid being insulated from reality by close aides.

“My mission is to appeal to President Tinubu because most leaders when they are in power, no one tells them the truth. People tell them all is well. Oh! You’re a master strategist but we must remember our contemporary history,” he said.

Mr Momodu, however, cautioned that Nigeria could be heading toward a repeat of past political unrest if current developments are not carefully addressed, stressing that the signs of unrest are already evident in the shifting political landscape.

“It is not too ancient, 1993 is just behind us and at the rate we are going, we would soon be back to the NADECO days. I guarantee you that becuase the second mistake they made was for them to scatter all the political parties and then leave ADC maybe temporarily.”