Ayo Fayose, the ex-Ekiti governor and PDP firebrand, declared Peter Obi the African Democratic Congress's (ADC) only viable presidential contender for 2027, dismissing all rivals as no-match for President Tinubu's machine.
The vocal chieftain hyped Obi's mass appeal and coalition pull as the opposition's last hope to flip the script on APC dominance.
Peter Obi jumped ship from Labour Party to ADC late last year, locking in a coalition deal with PDP bigwigs like Atiku and Tambuwal for a unified anti-Tinubu front. Fayose, despite PDP roots, backed the move, insisting Obi's "Obidient" army packs the youth vote and southern fire no other ADC face matches. Zoning talks faded as Obi's defection rally in Enugu sealed him as the flagbearer, with David Mark chairing the merger machine.
Fayose torched potential rivals inside ADC, calling them lightweight pretenders lacking Obi's street cred or 2023 momentum that shook the establishment. He nodded to zoning math – Tinubu's south-south slot opens the door – but stressed Obi's four-year promise paves northern paths post-win. PDP faction eyes ADC fusion to dodge internal wars, betting Obi revives the third-force dream crushed in 2023.
Social media split wild: Obidients chanted "PO is the one," while skeptics cried coalition flop amid LP baggage and Atiku ego clashes. Fayose's endorsement amps 2027 hype, positioning ADC as opposition savior if Obi dodges primary dramas. Tinubu's camp laughs it off, but Fayose warns: underestimate Obi at your peril.