Ayodele Fayose, former governor of Ekiti State, has warned that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could drift into political irrelevance if it fails to present Peter Obi as its presidential candidate in the 2027 general election.
Fayose made the remark in an interview excerpt scheduled for broadcast on Tuesday on Arise Television.
The former governor described Obi as the sole political force capable of giving the ADC nationwide visibility.
He argued that no other figure within the party possesses the electoral strength required to command broad national support.
Fayose said Obi’s political influence was demonstrated during the 2023 general election when his candidacy on the Labour Party platform produced unexpected victories in the house of representatives.
The former governor clarified that his comments were not a prediction of the 2027 presidential election outcome.
“Peter Obi is the life in ADC. I didn’t say there are no other human beings in ADC. I’m saying others are largely spent forces,” Fayose said.
“Let’s say Obi didn’t go to ADC, let Obi go to another party. Let’s say Obi is in Accord. Obi will become… I’m saying it: Obi is the only traction, Obi is the only meaning, Obi is the only factor, Obi is the only person in ADC that matters.
“And if Obi had not gone to ADC and had gone… when Obi went to Labour, Labour, which was never known, saw people win elections to the House of Reps.
“I’m not saying Obi will win this election. I’m not saying Obi will not win this election, but I’m telling you, even if they don’t field Obi, if ADC fails to field Obi, their case will be worse than their coming together.”