Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has issued a stark warning to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying the party risks fading into political irrelevance if it fails to field former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, as its presidential candidate in the 2027 general election.
Fayose made this assertion in a revealing interview scheduled to air on Arise Television on Tuesday, where he spoke candidly about the future of the ADC and the forces shaping Nigeria’s evolving political landscape.
According to him, Obi is not just a prominent figure within the party but the single most important asset it currently has.
Describing Obi as the “only life” of the ADC, Fayose argued that the party’s visibility, public interest, and national appeal are largely tied to Obi’s political influence and popularity.
He said that without Obi at the forefront, the ADC would struggle to attract voters, media attention, and meaningful support across the country.
Fayose further noted that while the ADC may have other members and leaders, none possesses the kind of nationwide recognition and grassroots following that Obi commands.
In his view, Fayose said Obi’s performance in the 2023 elections and his strong support base, especially among young voters and urban professionals, has made him a political force that cannot be ignored.
He added that political parties in Nigeria survive not just on ideology or structure but on the strength of personalities who can mobilize the electorate.
From that perspective, Fayose believes Obi represents the ADC’s best, and perhaps only, realistic chance of competing on a national scale in 2027.
Without Obi, Fayose warned, the party could be reduced to the margins of Nigerian politics, struggling to remain relevant in a political arena dominated by larger, better-established parties.
With him, however, the ADC stands a chance to transform itself into a serious contender for power.
