2027: Peter Obi lost his chance when he left ADC for NDC – Fayose

Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has said Peter Obi suffered a major political setback in his bid for the 2027 presidency after leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).

Fayose made the comment during an interview on TVC News’ Politics Tonight, where he assessed the chances of the opposition parties against the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general election.

According to Fayose, the opposition had a stronger opportunity to mount a serious challenge against President Bola Tinubu when prominent opposition figures were united under the ADC.

He said Obi’s decision to leave the coalition weakened the opposition’s chances and effectively ended the former Anambra State governor’s advantage within the opposition camp.

“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 of Obi’s political decision, Fayose spoke positively about the former Anambra governor’s record and political profile.

He described Obi as “a fantastic Nigerian” who had made his mark and demonstrated that positive change was possible.

However, Fayose argued that personal popularity would not be enough to secure victory in a presidential election without a strong political structure and a united opposition.

“But when opposition, when they don’t come together, they will continue to lose,” he said.

Fayose’s comments come amid continuing political realignments ahead of the 2027 Nigerian presidential election, with major opposition figures pursuing different platforms after an earlier attempt to consolidate them under the ADC.

Obi’s departure from the ADC has been particularly significant because he had initially been viewed by some opposition figures as one of the coalition’s strongest potential presidential contenders. His subsequent move to the NDC has altered the opposition landscape and created separate political camps ahead of the election.

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In a July 2026 interview with Channels Television, Obi confirmed his status as the NDC presidential candidate for 2027 and defended his political strategy, saying his decision to contest was driven by his belief that he could fix Nigeria’s major challenges and unite the country. (Cockatoo)

Fayose, however, maintained that the fragmentation of the opposition has created an advantage for the APC.

He said the political process had advanced to a stage where it would be difficult for opposition politicians to reverse their decisions and return to a single platform.

“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.

Fayose also predicted that President Tinubu would perform strongly in the South-West during the 2027 presidential election.

According to him, the President could secure close to four million votes in the region, based on the voting pattern recorded during the 2023 presidential election.

“In the West alone, Tinubu will get close to about four million votes,” Fayose said.

“When you look at the pattern of the last election, Tinubu will win this election close to about 65 per cent.”

The projection comes as political parties intensify their efforts to consolidate support across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones. Tinubu secured substantial support in parts of the South-West during the 2023 presidential election, although the region did not vote uniformly, with different candidates winning different states.

Fayose also commented on the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, rejecting claims that vote-buying was associated with only one political camp.

He said supporters of the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Accord were all involved in alleged vote-buying activities observed during the election.

“It’s mere desperation. Mere desperation,” Fayose said.

He added that reports of arrests over alleged vote-buying involved people linked to different political camps.

“The two sides clearly, going by what we saw on the television on Saturday, police arrested the two sides sharing money. So don’t come and tell me they are saints both ways,” he said.

The former governor said the problem of electoral malpractice in Nigeria should not be reduced to accusations against one party because it was a broader challenge affecting the electoral system.

“We have a lot to put right,” Fayose said.

“It’s the system. It’s systemic. It is a problem that has to be addressed.”

His comments highlight the wider political battle expected ahead of the 2027 general election, as the APC seeks to retain the presidency while opposition parties attempt to build competitive structures capable of challenging Tinubu.

For Obi, the immediate challenge is to translate his personal political following into a strong nationwide structure under the NDC. His supporters will also have to demonstrate that his decision to pursue an independent opposition platform can overcome the disadvantages created by the fragmentation of the earlier ADC coalition.

Fayose’s assessment, however, remains a political prediction rather than an electoral outcome. The 2027 presidential election has not yet been held, and the eventual result will depend on the candidates, campaigns, party structures, voter turnout and the choices Nigerians make at the polls.

2027: Peter Obi lost his chance when he left ADC for NDC – Fayose

Sokoto APC suffers fresh setback as over 700 members reportedly defect to ADC

More than 700 members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State have reportedly defected to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing alleged neglect, poor representation and growing insecurity in their communities.

The reported APC defection involved members from Goronyo and Shinaka wards and comes as political parties intensify grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The defectors were led by Alhaji Aliyu Tunau Shinaka, a former APC secretary in Goronyo Local Government and two-time special adviser to the Sokoto State Government.

Others reported to have joined the ADC include former APC youth leader in the local government, Alhaji Ibrahim Ado Taloka; Alhaji Kabiru Malam Isah Mai’alewa; and prominent women leader and youth mobiliser Hajiya Shafa’atu S/Pawa Goronyo.

Speaking during the defection ceremony, Shinaka said the group decided to leave the APC after what he described as prolonged neglect of grassroots members and residents by the party leadership.

He alleged that party members who worked for the APC’s electoral success had not received adequate attention from the leadership and that concerns raised by residents had remained largely unaddressed.

Sokoto APC suffers fresh setback as over 700 members reportedly defect to ADC

Shinaka also criticised Muhammad Bello Goronyo, the Minister of State for Works and a prominent APC figure from the area, accusing him of failing to provide the level of political leadership and development initiatives expected by residents.

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He particularly questioned the progress of federal road rehabilitation across Sokoto East Senatorial District, arguing that the minister’s position at the Federal Ministry of Works should result in greater attention to infrastructure challenges affecting communities in the region.

The allegations were made by the defectors and have not been independently verified. No response from the minister or the APC leadership in Goronyo was provided alongside the claims.

Another defector, Taloka, said the group joined the ADC because it wanted a political platform that would give greater priority to the welfare and security of residents.

He described the movement as a response to what he called the concerns of grassroots supporters who felt they were only remembered during election periods.

The defectors also expressed concern about the deteriorating security situation in Goronyo and neighbouring communities, alleging that banditry had disrupted farming, displaced residents and damaged local economic activities.

They claimed that more than 100 residents of Goronyo Local Government were being held by bandits in camps across parts of Sokoto East. The claim could not be independently verified.

According to the group, insecurity has made it difficult for many residents to access their farms, while some families have allegedly been displaced and others affected by the loss of relatives and livelihoods.

Shinaka said political leaders had a responsibility to remain connected to communities during periods of insecurity and provide support to victims and affected families.

The reported defection comes amid wider political realignments in Sokoto State ahead of the 2027 elections.

The ADC has attracted politicians and supporters from established parties in different parts of the country as opposition figures seek to build a broader political coalition ahead of the next general election.

Sokoto has also recorded previous political movement towards the ADC. In April 2026, seven members of the Sokoto State House of Assembly reportedly defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ADC, including Nasiru Adamu, who represents Goronyo Constituency.

The latest reported movement could further strengthen the ADC’s grassroots structure in Goronyo if the defectors remain active within the party.

The APC, meanwhile, has also recorded political movements into its fold in the area. In November 2025, former PDP figures in Goronyo joined the APC and were received by Minister of State for Works Muhammad Bello Goronyo.

The contrasting movements reflect the increasingly fluid political landscape in Sokoto as parties position themselves for the 2027 elections.

For the ADC, the reported entry of more than 700 APC members could provide additional grassroots strength in Goronyo. For the APC, the development could create a fresh challenge for its mobilisation efforts in an area regarded as an important political base.

The defectors said they were prepared to work for the expansion of the ADC and support what they described as a new political direction centred on security, peace, good governance and development.

With the 2027 elections drawing closer, further defections and political realignments are expected across Sokoto State as the APC, ADC, PDP and other parties compete to strengthen their structures and attract influential politicians and grassroots supporters.

Sokoto APC suffers fresh setback as over 700 members reportedly defect to ADC