Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayo Fayose, has said Peter Obi’s defection to the African Democratic Congress has transformed the party into a serious political force, while playing down the influence of other opposition figures such as Atiku Abubakar.
Fayose made the remarks on Monday, January 12, during an interview on Arise News, where he assessed the state of Nigeria’s opposition politics and the internal crisis rocking the Peoples Democratic Party.
He argued that the PDP’s problems were self-inflicted, not caused by President Bola Tinubu or the ruling All Progressives Congress.
“You must be very honest. When you are weak, tendencies are there for you to fall to the right of the stronger side,” Fayose said.
He added that blaming the president for the party’s struggles was misplaced, saying, “The challenges in the PDP, it’s not the fault of Asiwaju, the president.
“No. The failure in my home – God forbid – is not the fault of my neighbour.”
Describing the PDP as deeply divided, Fayose said, “The issues are very clear. The PDP is a house that is divided against itself.”
However, he said the growing relevance of the African Democratic Congress was not driven by its structure or leadership, but by the political weight of Peter Obi.
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“Are we saying ADC is not dominant? Recently, Obi moved there. And I’ve said it. Obi is the only life in ADC,” Fayose said.
When Arise News anchor Reuben Abati mentioned that other prominent politicians, including Atiku Abubakar, were also associated with the ADC, Fayose dismissed their impact.
“I’m not saying they are not human beings, I’m saying they are largely spent forces,” he said.
Fayose insisted that Obi’s popularity and voter appeal give the ADC its only real momentum ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Let Obi not go to ADC. Let Obi go to another party. Let’s say Obi is in Accord.
“Obi is the only traction. Obi is the only meaning, Obi is the only factor, Obi is the only person in ADC that matters,” he said.
He added that Obi’s move has reshaped the party’s political standing, even though it does not guarantee electoral victory.
“And if Obi had not gone to ADC, 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 you don’t feed Obi, if ADC fails to feed Obi, their case will be worse than their coming together,” Fayose said.