Peter Obi’s exit from ADC weakened his 2027 chances — Fayose

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose has said Peter Obi’s decision to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) weakened his chances ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Fayose made the comment during an interview on TVC News’ Politics Tonight on Tuesday while discussing the prospects of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to the former governor, Obi and other opposition politicians would have been in a stronger position to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) had they remained united under the ADC.

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

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He, however, described Obi as “a fantastic Nigerian who has made his marks, who has shown that things can get better.”

Fayose said the continued division among opposition politicians would negatively affect their chances in the 2027 election.

“But when opposition, when they don’t come together, they will continue to lose,” he said.

The former governor said it was now too late for the opposition to reverse its decisions, noting that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had already accredited the candidates.

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

“You have put your feet in the water. You can’t get out. You have gotten wet already.”

Speaking on President Bola Tinubu’s chances in 2027, Fayose said the political situation in the South-West currently favoured the President.

He predicted that Tinubu could secure about four million votes in the region, citing voting patterns from the 2023 presidential election.

“In the West alone, Tinubu will get close to about four million votes,” Fayose said.

“When you look at the pattern of the last election, Tinubu will win this election close to about 65 per cent,” he added.

Fayose also addressed allegations of vote-buying during the recent Osun State governorship election.

He rejected claims that electoral malpractice was perpetrated by only one political camp, saying supporters of the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord Party were implicated.

“It’s mere desperation. Mere desperation,” he said.

He added, “The two sides clearly, going by what we saw on the television on Saturday, police arrested the two sides sharing money. So don’t come and tell me they are saints both ways.”

Fayose described electoral malpractice as a systemic problem that requires collective action from politicians and voters.

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