Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has expressed doubt about the chances of former Anambra State Governor and presidential hopeful, Peter Obi, in the 2027 presidential election.
Fayose made the assertion during an interview on TVC’s Politics Tonight, where he assessed the current political situation and the prospects of opposition politicians ahead of the next general election.
While acknowledging Obi’s qualities and describing him as an exceptional Nigerian, Fayose argued that the former Anambra governor’s political ambition could suffer a major setback due to the failure of opposition forces to unite.
According to the former governor, the division among opposition politicians has significantly weakened their collective strength and reduced their chances of challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) effectively in 2027.
Fayose particularly pointed to the decision by Obi and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to pursue their political ambitions separately. He maintained that both politicians would have been in a stronger position if they had remained within the same political arrangement and worked together toward a common objective.
He said Obi had demonstrated significant political strength during the 2023 presidential election, but warned that his previous strategies had now become familiar to his political opponents.
Fayose stated that political actors had studied Obi’s approach from the 2023 election and would be better prepared to counter him in the forthcoming contest.
He said, “Peter Obi is a very fantastic Nigerian, but the moment he moved to the NDC while Atiku Abubakar remained in the ADC, they both lost.
“There is no hope. Whatever hope existed was lost when they decided to go their separate ways. Nigerians have already witnessed Peter Obi’s performance in 2023, and his opponents are now prepared for him. They understand his strategy.”
The former governor further stressed that opposition parties could only pose a serious challenge to the APC if they were able to put aside their differences and form a strong political alliance.
He recalled how the APC successfully displaced the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from power in 2015 after opposition forces came together and presented a formidable challenge.
Fayose noted that the emergence of former President Muhammadu Buhari as the APC’s presidential candidate, alongside the support of influential political figures, helped the party secure victory over the then-ruling PDP.
He also referenced President Bola Tinubu’s political influence and extensive support base, arguing that the combination of political structures and alliances remains crucial in determining electoral outcomes.
According to him, opposition leaders must learn from previous elections and understand that individual ambitions could undermine their collective chances of defeating the ruling party.
Fayose warned that if opposition politicians failed to reach an agreement and work together, the 2027 election could once again end in disappointment for them.
He concluded by stating that his assessment was based on his political experience and understanding of Nigeria’s electoral dynamics, insisting that he was more interested in speaking honestly than saying what people wanted to hear.
