Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has declared that Peter Obi's exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has effectively extinguished his prospects for the 2027 presidential election. Fayose made this assertion during an interview on TVC News' Politics Tonight, where he reflected on the current state of the opposition ahead of the upcoming general elections.

Fayose emphasized that the opposition had a viable opportunity to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) when its key figures were united under the ADC banner. However, he believes this chance was squandered when Obi opted to leave the coalition. "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," he stated.

Despite his critical stance on Obi's political maneuvering, Fayose acknowledged the former governor's contributions to the nation, describing him as "a fantastic Nigerian who has made his marks, who has shown that things can get better." Nevertheless, he argued that Obi's individual merits would not suffice to counter the ramifications of disunity within the opposition.

Fayose further remarked on the current political landscape, suggesting that it is now too late for opposition politicians to reverse their decisions and regroup ahead of the elections. He pointed out that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has already accredited all candidates, implying that those who have made their choices must stick with them. "You have put your feet in the water. You can’t get out. You have gotten wet already," he added.

In assessing President Bola Tinubu's re-election prospects, Fayose noted that the political dynamics in the South-West region currently favor the incumbent. He attributed this advantage to the backing of influential political figures and the voting trends observed during the 2023 presidential elections. Fayose projected that Tinubu could garner nearly four million votes from the South-West, estimating that he might secure approximately 65 percent of the votes in the upcoming election.

Additionally, Fayose addressed the issue of vote-buying, dismissing the notion that it is solely a problem associated with one political party. He stated that the practice is widespread and involves supporters from various parties, including the APC, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and Accord Party. "It’s mere desperation. Mere desperation," he remarked, highlighting that recent arrests during the Osun State governorship election indicate that electoral malpractice is a systemic issue that requires a collective response from all stakeholders, including political parties, security agencies, and voters. "We have a lot to put right. It’s the system. It’s systemic. It is a problem that has to be addressed," he concluded.