Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has doubled down on his claim that President Bola Tinubu remains the frontrunner for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election, saying opposition parties have weakened themselves by failing to unite. In an interview on Channels Television, Fayose argued that the proliferation of political parties and presidential hopefuls has fractured the opposition, leaving Tinubu in a stronger position despite widespread concerns over insecurity and economic hardship.
He pointed to the 2023 election as evidence, recalling how Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi split the opposition vote in a three‑horse race that allowed Tinubu to prevail. Fayose insisted that a united coalition could have posed a serious challenge, but divisions have once again undermined the opposition’s chances. “If the opposition coalition had remained together and were to be in one party against Tinubu, I would say Tinubu would get a run for his money,” he said.
Fayose also defended Tinubu’s handling of Nigeria’s security crisis, claiming the president inherited severe challenges from Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and has been unfairly blackmailed over insecurity. He compared Tinubu’s situation to that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, who faced similar criticism before leaving office. According to Fayose, Tinubu has “given his best” and taken steps to manage the damage left behind by his predecessor.
His remarks have sparked debate across Nigeria, with critics arguing that economic struggles and rising insecurity could weaken Tinubu’s standing, while supporters echo Fayose’s view that opposition disunity makes the president’s path to reelection less complicated. The incident was triggered by ongoing political fragmentation, as opposition leaders failed to consolidate into a single platform, leaving Tinubu’s dominance largely unchallenged ahead of 2027.
