Obi Lost 2027 Chance the Day He Left ADC, Says Fayose

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has said Peter Obi weakened his chances of winning the 2027 presidential election when he left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Fayose made the statement on Tuesday during an interview on TVC News’ Politics Tonight, while assessing the prospects of the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He argued that Obi’s departure from the ADC, alongside the movement of other opposition politicians, weakened the possibility of presenting a united challenge to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“When they were all together in ADC, I would tell anybody that they will make an impact. The day Obi left ADC, that day Obi lost,” Fayose said.

The former governor, however, described Obi as “a fantastic Nigerian” who had made significant contributions and demonstrated that things could improve in the country.

He said the opposition would continue to struggle electorally if its various leaders and parties failed to work together.

Fayose noted that it was now difficult for the opposition to reverse its political arrangements ahead of the 2027 election, saying the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had already accredited the candidates.

“It’s too late now. INEC has accredited everybody. Even if you say you are not doing again, you’re on your own,” he said.

On President Bola Tinubu’s chances in 2027, Fayose said the political arithmetic in the South-West currently favoured the President, particularly given the support of influential political leaders in the region.

He projected that Tinubu could secure about four million votes from the South-West, based on voting patterns recorded during the 2023 presidential election.

Fayose also criticised claims that vote-buying during the recent Osun governorship election was perpetrated by only one political camp.

He said supporters of the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord Party were all involved in electoral malpractice, describing the problem as systemic.

“It’s the system. It’s systemic. It is a problem that has to be addressed,” he said.