Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has warned that Peter Obi could face an uphill battle in the 2027 presidential election if opposition parties fail to unite behind a common candidate.
Fayose made the remarks during an interview on TVC News’ Politics Tonight on Tuesday while discussing the growing political manoeuvres ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the former governor, the biggest advantage the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) could have in the next election is a divided opposition.
He argued that having several strong candidates competing for the same anti-APC votes could split the opposition’s support and make it easier for President Bola Tinubu to retain power.
Fayose pointed to the 2023 presidential election, when the presence of three major contenders contributed to a highly divided contest.
Fayose Criticises Obi’s Decision to Leave ADC
Fayose also took aim at Peter Obi’s decision to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC), arguing that the move weakened efforts to build a united opposition ahead of 2027.
He said the opposition had a better chance of making a serious impact when key political figures were working together under the ADC platform.
“When they were all together in ADC, I would tell anybody that they will make an impact,” Fayose said.
He added that Obi’s decision to move away from the platform had affected his chances in the coming election.
“The day Obi left ADC for NDC, that day Obi lost,” he said.
Despite his criticism, Fayose acknowledged Obi’s impact on Nigerian politics, describing him as someone who had made his mark and demonstrated that the country could do better.
The former governor, however, maintained that political unity would be essential if the opposition hopes to defeat the APC.
Fayose Doubts Opposition Can Agree on One Candidate
Fayose also expressed doubt that opposition presidential candidates would withdraw from the 2027 race at the last minute to support a single contender.
He argued that the political process had already advanced too far for such a move to be straightforward.
“It’s too late now,” Fayose said, noting that the candidates and political parties had already gone too far into the electoral process.
His comments come as opposition figures continue to explore different alliances and political arrangements ahead of the 2027 election. Previous efforts to build a broad opposition coalition have attracted major figures, but disagreements over platforms, leadership and presidential ambitions have continued to create uncertainty.
Fayose Predicts Strong Showing for Tinubu
Fayose also gave his assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s chances in 2027.
He argued that the current political situation in the South-West could work in Tinubu’s favour, particularly if existing alliances and voting patterns remain largely unchanged.
Fayose projected that Tinubu could secure about four million votes from the South-West and potentially win the presidential election with close to 65 per cent of the vote.
“In the West alone, Tinubu will get close to about four million votes,” he said.
He further argued that the pattern of the 2023 election provides an indication of how the region could vote in 2027.
Opposition Unity Could Shape the 2027 Race
Fayose’s comments come at a time when Nigeria’s opposition remains divided over how best to challenge the APC in 2027.
Major opposition figures have previously held talks about forming a united front, but disagreements have continued to raise questions about whether the parties can settle on a common platform and candidate.
For Obi and other opposition contenders, the challenge is therefore not only winning voters but also building a political arrangement capable of bringing together different regional and party interests.
Whether the opposition can overcome those differences could become one of the defining issues of the 2027 presidential election.