Fayose, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), said Tinubu remains the candidate to beat in the next election due to his leadership skills and knowledge of Nigeria’s political landscape.
He made this known during a radio interview aired on Adaba 88.9 FM in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Sunday, monitored by the Nation.
“I do not deceive myself. Tinubu will win in 2027. Although I’m not a member of his party (APC) but he will surely win and get re-elected again. If you remember, Asiwaju (Tinubu) was not supported by his party in 2023.
“Those against him then even came up with manners of things that could stop him. You could remember what former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele, did with our Naira to stop him.
“Even the late Muhammadu Buhari did not support him, but he still won. It is because Tinubu understands politics and the game. He would win again, I can bet it with anyone. So, is it now that those who called themselves coalition will now win him? No, I don’t deceive myself,” he said.
Fayose described his support for Tinubu as “personal,” insisting he remains in the PDP and has no intention of defecting to the APC, despite internal crisis in the opposition party.
In light of the divisions, he predicted a poor outing for the PDP, suggesting the party might not finish among the top three in the 2027 general elections.
“So, I will never decamp. I will never go to APC. When your family is in crisis, do you leave the party? No, I better be there and be fighting within and see to the election exercise. Mr Peter Obi will come second. PDP will come fourth in the 2027 general election.”
He said the PDP has become weakened, with major members defecting to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the ruling APC.
He also criticised the PDP leadership for sidelining him despite his contributions to the party’s growth, stating that his support for Nyesom Wike, the former Rivers governor and current FCT minister, was based on respect.
“There’s nothing to destroy again in PDP because it’s no longer a party. I labour in this party and to whom much is giving, much is also expected. I have paid my dues for the PDP. The majority of them in the ADC today drew the strength of the PDP, including Rotimi Amaechi, David Mark, and Nasir El-Rufai.
“I’m not a member of the APC, but those who accuse me of anti-party then are now leaving PDP in droves. The problem of PDP is self-inflicted. The party is even in more trouble and shambles.
“Obi was a former PDP governor in his Anambra and Atiku was a former vice president who continued to come in and exit but Wike stay in the party, funded the party and you don’t want me to support such person,” Fayose added.
He urged support for Ekiti State governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, in the next gubernatorial election, stating that opposing his re-election is counterproductive.
Fayose said his support for Oyebanji is based on the administration’s development efforts, noting that former governors of Ekiti have pledged to back his re-election.
