Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has issued a damning verdict on the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), predicting that the once-dominant opposition party will finish fourth in the 2027 general elections. Speaking during a Channels Television interview on Politics Today, Fayose described the PDP as a “political carcass,” citing the departure of key figures, including presidential candidates, governors, and senators. He lamented that many influential leaders had been “eased out” of the party, making it difficult to mount a credible challenge in upcoming elections. According to him, the party’s current state makes associating with it “shameful.”
Fayose offered bold electoral forecasts, projecting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are positioned to win again in 2027. He argued that with the APC’s dominance in the South, Tinubu would only need a fraction of support from the North to secure victory. He placed Labour Party’s Peter Obi in second position, followed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in third, saying if Makinde contests under the platform of PDP in 2027 he would come a distant in fourth. Fayose also maintained that the PDP had compromised its structure and political capital, rendering it irrelevant in the next electoral cycle.
Reflecting on the recent death of former President Muhammadu Buhari, Fayose revealed that he initially intended to criticize the late leader but was dissuaded by his wife. Although known for his blunt political commentary, he explained that he chose restraint out of respect. Nonetheless, Fayose remarked that President Tinubu inherited a “terrible economy” and credited him as being more accessible and responsive than Buhari. He added that while many may eulogize Buhari posthumously, Nigeria’s current state reflects the poor economic foundation left behind by his administration.
Despite his longstanding loyalty to the PDP, Fayose emphasized his personal admiration for President Tinubu, revealing that he had supported him even while serving as a PDP governor. He recounted occasions where he resisted pressure to defect and acknowledged his continued alignment with Tinubu’s political ideals. However, Fayose did not rule out joining another party—be it APC, Labour, or ADC—if the PDP fails to recover. His statements are the latest in a series of internal criticisms rocking the PDP as it struggles to reposition itself ahead of 2027.