Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has said Peter Obi lost his chance of winning the 2027 presidential election after leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Fayose made the statement during TVC News’ Politics Tonight on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, while discussing the opposition’s preparations for the election.
Fayose said Obi and other opposition figures could have mounted a stronger challenge against the All Progressives Congress (APC) if they had remained together in 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.
Despite his criticism, Fayose praised Obi and his record as a former governor of Anambra State.
“Peter Obi is a fantastic Nigerian who has made his mark, who has shown that things can get better,” he said.
Fayose blamed the opposition’s failure to maintain a common platform for its electoral problems.
“But when opposition, when they don’t come together, they will continue to lose,” he said.
He also dismissed the possibility of opposition politicians changing their positions at this stage.
“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,” he added.
Meanwhile, Fayose said President Bola Tinubu could secure about four million votes in the South-West during the 2027 election.
“In the West alone, Tinubu will get close to about four million votes,” he said.
Fayose also predicted that Tinubu could secure about 65 per cent of the votes if current political alliances remain unchanged.
