Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain, Lere Olayinka, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will have an easier task securing victory in the 2027 presidential election than he did in 2023.
Olayinka made the statement during an interview on TVC Breakfast on Monday, where he attributed Tinubu’s expected advantage to the President’s political alliances and what he described as his performance in governance.
According to Olayinka, Tinubu’s political strategy has weakened the opposition by bringing influential politicians from different political backgrounds closer to his administration.
He specifically mentioned the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who remains a member of the PDP but has continued to work with the Tinubu administration.
Olayinka argued that Wike’s political influence could have strengthened the PDP ahead of the 2027 election if he had chosen to work against the President.
He said Tinubu had succeeded in attracting Wike and other influential political figures to his side, thereby reducing the opposition’s capacity to mobilise support against the ruling administration.
The PDP chieftain also cited the political positions of Abia State Governor Alex Otti and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke as factors that could shape the opposition landscape ahead of the election.
He argued that the emergence of different political interests and candidates within the opposition could make it more difficult for the opposition to consolidate its support behind a single presidential candidate.
Olayinka maintained that Tinubu’s approach of working with politicians across party lines had helped him politically and made governance easier for his administration.
He described the 2027 election as potentially less challenging for Tinubu than the 2023 presidential contest.
“The reason this election of 2027 will be a one-way election is because of the performance of the president in terms of national development and his performance in terms of politics,” Olayinka said.
He further maintained that the President’s political alliances would be an important factor in determining the strength of the opposition during the next election.
The comments come as political parties and politicians intensify preparations for the 2027 general election. The opposition has continued to explore alliances and political realignments, while the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is working to consolidate its support ahead of the presidential contest.
Olayinka also urged Nigerians to acknowledge Wike’s continued cooperation with the Tinubu administration despite his membership of the PDP.
He said the FCT minister’s decision to work with Tinubu had political implications for both the PDP and the broader opposition movement.
The 2027 presidential election is expected to feature intense competition among major political parties, with issues including governance, economic performance, security and political alliances likely to shape the campaign.
Olayinka’s assessment, however, represents his personal political view and does not necessarily indicate the eventual outcome of the election.
