Former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, says the African Democratic Congress (ADC) may be finished if Peter Obi fails to secure the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 election.

Speaking to Channels Television at the PDP National Convention, Fayose described Obi as a “great guy.” He said Obi’s influence helped during the 2023 elections, but warned that the same advantage may not repeat next year.

“If Obi is not on the ballot of ADC, that is the end of ADC,” Obi is the ony many APC fears, Fayose said. “It looks like that now that Obi will not (be on the ballot).”

He added that Kwankwaso has returned to the PDP and suggested Atiku Abubakar will get the ticket, asking whether Obi would return to seek the vice presidential slot.

Fayose also said Obi cannot go back to the Labour Party, claiming there is now “a wedge everywhere.” While he praised Obi, he said becoming president at this time is difficult.

Obi is one of the contenders for the ADC presidential ticket. He left the PDP on May 25, 2022, joined the Labour Party, and became its flagbearer in the 2023 general elections. He later lost to President Bola Tinubu, with Atiku Abubakar of the PDP finishing closely behind.

Reacting to Obi’s 2023 performance, Fayose said, “PDP is not Obi. Obi did not ride on the strength of his party.” He also argued that if Obi moves to another party, he would still make more impact as an individual than as part of ADC.

Meanwhile, the PDP National Convention in Abuja is ongoing with more than 2,000 delegates across Nigeria. The convention is being organised by the Abdulrahman Mohammed-led caretaker committee, though the Tanimu Turaki faction is expected to boycott it.

Okezie Ikpeazu, chairman of the convention planning committee and former governor of Abia State, said 2,503 delegates are expected to attend, and that reconciliation efforts will continue to address the party’s internal crisis despite the absence of some leaders.