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By Oscar Okhifo
Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has described former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as the only political force sustaining the African Democratic Congress while predicting that Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, may not survive the ongoing political crisis in the state.
Fayose spoke on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, and his comments were monitored by a Pointblank News correspondent.
According to him, without Obi’s presence, the ADC would struggle to command attention on the national political stage.
“Obi is the only life in ADC; all other people in ADC are semi-existent,” Fayose said.
“If Obi had remained in the Labour Party or moved to the Accord Party, he would still be the only life there. The other forces are old and largely nonexistent.”
The former governor further claimed that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lost its footing, describing the main opposition party as technically dead due to persistent internal crises and leadership failures.
He also cautioned against dragging Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, into the ongoing crisis rocking the PDP, warning that such moves could worsen the party’s internal divisions.
Commenting on the political crisis in Rivers State, Fayose said the situation had reached a point where Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s survival in office was doubtful, declaring that only “prayers and fasting” could save him from impeachment.
According to Fayose, Fubara failed to draw lessons from past political upheavals, including the emergency rule era, which should have served as a warning.
“I was impeached. When I returned as Governor, I was a better person. I learned lessons and refused to make the same mistakes,” Fayose said.
“I was calmer because I learned. Fubara learned nothing as it is now.”
Fayose recalled that he was among those who, during Fubara’s swearing-in ceremony in 2023, advised the Rivers governor to tread carefully in his relationship with his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, warning that failure to do so could result in a turbulent administration.
He said recent developments appear to have vindicated those early warnings.
Reiterating his political position, Fayose disclosed that he openly supported President Bola Tinubu during the 2023 general election and has remained consistent in his stance.
“Openly, I supported Tinubu in 2023. I didn’t hide it, and till now, I am still there. I don’t jump,” he said.
“I have said it before I am not a member of the APC, and I will never be.”
The remarks underscore the uncertainty surrounding Nigeria’s opposition politics ahead of 2027, as internal crises, leadership tussles and shifting alliances continue to shape early calculations across parties.