Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has issued a bleak forecast for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He predicted that the opposition party could finish as low as fourth place.
Fayose, a prominent PDP member and an erstwhile leader of the ‘G5 governors’ faction, voiced his stark assessment during an appearance on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” programme yesterday night.
“It is my prayer that the PDP will come fourth. Today, I am telling you the PDP will come fourth in the general elections,” Fayose declared.
He cited what he described as a weakening of the party’s electoral strength due to internal strife and the marginalisation of long-serving members.
The former governor lamented what he perceived as the party’s “compromised” status in many states and the deliberate sidelining of numerous leaders.
“In most states, they are already compromised. They have eased out so many leaders. It’s good for them, but let me remind you, I was part of the G5,” he stated.
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Fayose also expressed deep dissatisfaction with the PDP leadership, accusing it of “repeated acts of disrespect” and “sabotage” against loyal members, including himself.
“I have paid my dues in PDP. You cannot continue to match a man like me… How will a party undermine you—a two-term governor—you have done everything humanly possible to sustain, and they undermine you—I should be clapping for them? Forget that,” he asserted.
Describing the current state of the PDP as a mere “shadow of its former self,” Fayose added, “Associating with PDP today is shameful enough. The party is too weak to take a grab of anything lately. PDP is not an issue for now. With more prayers, PDP will end up in the fourth position.”
He also took a swipe at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, alleging that Atiku’s awareness of his impending victory for the PDP presidential ticket led him to explore other political options.
“Atiku knew he wasn’t going to get the ticket of PDP, that was why he moved to the African Democratic Congress (ADC),” Fayose claimed.
When questioned about supporting Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde should he emerge as the PDP’s presidential candidate, Fayose responded with neutrality:
He said if Makinde becomes the PDP flag bearer, Nigerians will decide.
Reflecting on his own political allegiances, Fayose maintained that he has always been transparent, even during his time as governor.
He said Nigerians know where he belongs whenever it comes to issues about politics.
“When I was a sitting governor, I did not hide my support for Tinubu. I visited him several times as a sitting governor,” he revealed.
Fayose also backed the PDP’s decision to zone the presidency to the South, despite his overall pessimistic outlook for the party.
He said zoning of the presidential ticket to the South by the PDP is good for them because President Bola Tinubu is the shortest distance for power to return to the North.
He reiterated his prayer for the PDP to avoid a fourth-place finish, remarking, “Pretenders can pretend, but you know that the PDP has messed up. Managing the party has become an issue. Everybody in that party today has become, ‘to your tents, O Israel!’”
Meanwhile, the PDP has indeed been grappling with a deepening internal crisis in recent weeks.
On June 6, Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This was followed by the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy, Monday Onyeme, and several political allies, including commissioners and local government chairmen, to the APC on April 23.
Former Delta State Governor and PDP’s 2023 vice-presidential candidate, Ifeanyi Okowa, also subsequently joined the APC.
Further exacerbating the party’s woes, ex-PDP presidential candidate Atiku resigned his membership from the PDP with immediate effect on July 16, citing “irreconcilable differences” within the party.
These significant defections and resignations come as Atiku leads coalition talks with other prominent political figures and stakeholders who have adopted the
ADC party, signalling an effort to form a formidable opposition against the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
The PDP’s internal turmoil is also evident in an unresolved leadership dispute over the position of National Secretary, with both Samuel Anyanwu and Sunday Ude-Okoye claiming the role, further contributing to the party’s organisational instability.
2 Responses
This all drama. They will soon settle. Once sacks of money changes hands. The rest is history.
This 2027 go hot😂