‘PDP May Not Even Come Third’: Fayose Predicts Party’s Fall, Backs Tinubu

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has made a startling forecast about the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), predicting that the once-dominant opposition may not even make the top three in Nigeria’s 2027 presidential elections.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, the outspoken politician declared:

“It is my prayer that the PDP will come fourth. In most states, they are already compromised. They have eased out so many leaders.”

Fayose, a long-time PDP chieftain and former member of the influential G5 group, has recently aligned himself with President Bola Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

His prediction comes shortly after he secured a legal victory that cleared him of longstanding fraud allegations tied to his time in office.

Fayose didn’t hold back his frustration with PDP’s current leadership, accusing it of marginalizing loyal members and sabotaging internal unity.

“I have paid my dues in PDP. You cannot continue to match a man like me. I came to PDP alone,” he said.
“How will a party undermine a two-term governor you have done everything to sustain—and they expect applause? Forget that.”

He described the party as a “shadow of its former self,” adding that associating with it is now “shameful.” According to him, PDP is too disorganized and weakened to contend in the next general election.

Targeting Atiku and Leadership Failures
Fayose also took aim at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, accusing him of monopolizing the PDP presidential ticket in 2023 while sidelining credible contenders.

“Atiku knew he was going to get the PDP ticket—that was why he moved to the African Democratic Congress (ADC),” Fayose alleged.

While some view Fayose’s current alignment with President Tinubu as a betrayal of the opposition, he says it’s nothing new.

“When I was a sitting governor, I did not hide my support for Tinubu. I visited him several times,” he revealed.

Fayose also backed the idea of zoning the PDP presidential ticket to the South, but noted that the strategy may have limited impact.

“Zoning to the South is good for them. But right now, President Tinubu is the shortest route for power to return to the North,” he said.

Fayose’s criticisms come amid growing defections from the PDP:

–June 6: Akwa Ibom Governor Umo Eno joins APC.

–April 23: Delta Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, his deputy, and several top allies defect.

–July 16: Former PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar formally resigns from the party.

These exits signal a deepening crisis, raising serious doubts about the PDP’s ability to challenge APC dominance in 2027.