Peter Obi can never be president – Fayose

Peter Obi can never be president – Fayose

Isaac Fayose, brother of former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, has criticised Nigeria’s political and electoral system, describing the opposition as weak and ineffective and warning that credible elections are increasingly under threat. In a video shared on Instagram on Wednesday, Fayose expressed disappointment with the state of democracy in Nigeria, declaring: “Opposition is gone, ADC is dead on arrival. Peter Obi can never be president. Nobody can be president again unless they select you.” He argued that recent political developments have effectively eliminated the possibility of a strong opposition in future elections, raising serious concerns about the country’s democratic trajectory.

Fayose also criticised the National Assembly, particularly the Senate, for rejecting key electoral reforms, including the proposed mandatory electronic transmission of election results, a measure widely regarded as essential for transparency and credibility. He said: “We’ve finally lost Nigeria. Electoral reform is gone. Even what former President Goodluck Jonathan started has been thrown into the dustbin. No more BVAS. Whatever they tell you is the result.” He warned that the concentration of power in the hands of a few was pushing the country towards a one-party state, saying: “We are now back to a one-party state, one family to rule us forever. This is sad, the saddest day of my life.”

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Beyond electoral concerns, Fayose criticised the weakening of the judiciary, low remuneration for doctors, and the worsening security situation across the country. He argued that these systemic challenges collectively demonstrate that Nigeria’s political institutions no longer provide effective checks and balances, contributing to the erosion of public trust in governance.

Fayose’s comments come amid renewed debate over the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2026. While the Senate passed the Electoral Act 2022 (Repeal and Re-enactment) Amendment Bill after its third reading, it rejected a proposed amendment to Clause 60(3), which sought to make the electronic transmission of election results mandatory. Observers say the rejection of this key reform has serious implications for the transparency and credibility of future elections, intensifying concerns about the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.

The remarks by Fayose have sparked mixed reactions, with supporters of Peter Obi dismissing his comments as politically motivated, while others argue that his warning about the marginalisation of opposition parties, concentration of political power, and weakening of democratic institutions reflects real challenges facing Nigeria ahead of future elections.

Peter Obi can never be president – Fayose