Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has warned that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) risks political irrelevance if it does not field former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi as its candidate for the 2027 general election.
Speaking during an exclusive interview on Arise Television, Fayose described Obi as the major political attraction within the ADC, insisting that other figures in the party lack the capacity to generate significant electoral traction.
According to him, Obi remains the only factor capable of giving the party national relevance, adding that his political influence was evident during the 2023 elections when his emergence as the Labour Party presidential candidate helped the party secure seats in the House of Representatives despite its previously limited national presence.
Fayose argued that Obi’s appeal transcends party platforms, noting that he would attract similar support even if he contested on the platform of another lesser-known party.
He, however, clarified that he was not predicting whether Obi would win or lose the 2027 presidential election, but maintained that ADC’s fortunes would be worse than its current state if the party failed to field him as its candidate.
The former governor added that Obi remains central to ADC’s relevance in the 2027 electoral contest, warning that sidelining him would significantly weaken the party’s political standing.
He said: “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.
“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 has gone…when Obi went to Labour, Labour that was never known people won 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 fill Obi, if ADC fails to fill Obi, their case will be worse than their coming together.”
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