Fayose says Tinubu will beat Atiku, Obi in 2027 even if they unite
Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose told Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday that President Bola Tinubu would defeat former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election, even if the two opposition candidates unite. Fayose warned that if Atiku and Obi ran separately, their votes would be split, making Tinubu’s victory easier. He said the South‑west would give Tinubu a margin of at least six million votes, noting that Tinubu won the 2023 election with 8.7 million votes, ahead of Atiku’s 6.9 million and Obi’s 6.1 million. Fayose argued that the presidency should remain in the South for eight years before power returns to the North, describing Tinubu as the "shortest point" for that transition. He also predicted Tinubu would secure at least 12 million votes in 2027, citing improvements in the economy, the unification of the foreign‑exchange market, the student loan scheme and road projects under the current administration. Although Fayose remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, he serves as chairman of the Rural Electrification Agency board, an appointment made by Tinubu, and acknowledged that some Nigerians disagree with his assessment of the government’s performance, especially on the economy and infrastructure. He was part of the G5 PDP governors who opposed Atiku’s 2023 bid, and his REA appointment has drawn criticism from opposition figures.