Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayo Fayose, has declared that he will not support Atiku Abubakar if the former Vice President decides to contest the 2027 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking during an appearance on Politics Today, a programme aired on Channels Television, Fayose reiterated his previous stance from 2023, maintaining that he would work against Atiku if he runs again.
“I publicly worked against Atiku, and I am saying for the second time, if Atiku comes again, I will work against him. It is time to learn our lesson,” Fayose said.
The former governor attributed the PDP internal crisis to what he described as a betrayal of the zoning agreement within the party. According to him, PDP leaders had agreed to zone power to the North ahead of the 2023 elections, but failed to uphold a balance after President Muhammadu Buhari’s two terms in office.
“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,” he said.
“Those who gave or zoned power back to the North caused all these problems.”
Emphasizing the need for fairness and internal democracy, Fayose said the PDP must uphold party accountability and respect the principle of power rotation if it wants to regain public trust.
“You don’t have to like a Nyesom Wike or a Peter Obi, but there should be an unwritten, respected gentleman’s understanding of power shift.”
Fayose: Nigeria Is Bigger Than PDP, APC
Fayose, in 2024, had boldly declared that he worked against Atiku “100 percent,” stressing that his actions were in the interest of the country, not party politics.
“Don’t get it wrong. I worked against him (Atiku) 100 per cent. Nigeria is bigger than the PDP, APC.”
He further stated that for the PDP to regain relevance, it must become more responsible and avoid acts that could generate internal rebellion and public discontent.
“The party must be equitable, the party must be accountable. The party or parent that is irresponsible will produce irresponsible children, they will produce rebellion, they will produce anger.”
Looking ahead to the post-Tinubu era, Fayose suggested that if President Bola Ahmed Tinubu completes two terms, leadership should return to the South.
“After Asiwaju’s (Bola Tinubu) tenure, if God gives him a chance at a second term, let a Southerner come out. We as leaders at that time—I will be over 70 or about 70—I will come out straight that a Southerner can not be the President of Nigeria.”