ABUJA, Nigeria – Ayo Fayose, the former governor of Ekiti State, has dismissed the possibility of a successful opposition coalition aimed at challenging President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
Fayose, a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the comments during his appearance on Politics Today, a programme on Channels TV, on Friday, April 18, 2025.
As political discussions on forming a coalition to wrest control from the All Progressives Congress (APC) intensify ahead of the 2027 election, Fayose firmly asserted that any efforts to form a united front against Tinubu would be futile.
His remarks come amid growing attempts by opposition leaders, particularly Atiku Abubakar, to unite various political parties for the purpose of challenging Tinubu’s second term ambitions.
Atiku, who was the PDP’s presidential candidate in 2023, has been one of the key advocates of a coalition.
However, earlier this week, PDP governors made it clear that they would not support any coalition or merger, signalling a lack of unity within the party on this issue.
Fayose interpreted the PDP governors’ stance as a rejection of Atiku’s push for a coalition.
He described the plan as a “dead horse from the beginning,” stating, “Tell me one positive person or well-respected Nigerian that has given his voice in support of this coalition.”
He further argued that the opposition coalition was nothing more than the imagination of individuals trying to force an unworkable idea into reality.
The former governor also expressed his belief that many governors from opposition parties would rather support Tinubu over Atiku.
Fayose pointed out that the PDP, instead of focusing on an external coalition, needed to resolve its own internal issues before engaging in any discussions about a national alliance.
“I publicly worked against Atiku, and I am saying for the second time, if Atiku comes again, I will work against him,” Fayose stated.
“It is time to learn our lesson. After eight years of a northerner, it is the turn of a southerner, which could involve someone from the east, south-west or south-south.”