LAGOS, Nigeria — Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has issued a stark warning about the future of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), predicting that the once-dominant opposition party could come fourth in the 2027 general election due to internal crisis and mass defections.
Speaking on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme aired Friday, July 25, 2025, Fayose described the party as a shadow of its former self, plagued by division, poor leadership, and the alienation of key political figures.
“You know the situation of our party today, and it is in my prayer that the PDP does not come fourth in the coming elections,” Fayose said.
“Pretenders can pretend, but you know that managing the party has become an issue. Everybody in that party today is doing ‘to your tent, O Israel.’”
Fayose claimed the PDP’s national structure had crumbled and that in many states, the party had already lost relevance.
“In most states, they are already compromised,” he added.
“They have eased out so many leaders. It’s good for them, but let me remind you, I was part of the G5.”
He pointed to the exit of major party figures as evidence of a systemic collapse: “In the same PDP, the presidential candidate has left, the vice-presidential candidate has left, senators have left, and governors have left.”
Fayose’s comments come amid growing concerns over the PDP’s internal disunity and dwindling influence, especially following the 2023 election losses and high-profile defections.
He also explained his absence at the PDP’s recent National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting, saying he was deliberately sidelined despite receiving an official invitation.
“I got an invitation but I knew I had no role to play there. I’ve been eased out like many others,” he said.
In a striking political observation, Fayose spoke of President Bola Tinubu’s strategic influence in shaping future power dynamics, especially regarding the north’s political aspirations.
He recalled a past conversation with Tinubu in which the president reportedly described the All Progressives Congress (APC) as “the shortest political link between the north and the south.”
“I recall he told me that the shortest distance between the north and the south is APC,” Fayose said.
“I could not understand at the time, because he told me that after Buhari’s four years, anybody should be able to wait for another four years.”
The former governor added: “So, zoning to the south by the PDP is good for them because today, Tinubu is the shortest distance for power to return to the north.”
While reaffirming that he has not formally defected from the PDP, Fayose said he remains politically flexible.
“I have not left the PDP, but I remain open to aligning with any platform that matches my vision,” he stated.
