Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has linked President Bola Tinubu’s chances in the 2027 presidential election to what he described as improvements in Nigeria’s economy and the strength of the opposition’s political structure.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Tuesday, Fayose said the opposition would face a difficult contest whether former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi run separately or decide to work together.
Rather than focusing only on the projected vote figure, Fayose argued that the regional support base of the candidates and the ability of their political structures to translate support into votes would be significant factors in the election.
He specifically projected that Tinubu would receive more than 12 million votes, while claiming that the South-West alone could give the President a substantial margin.
Fayose also defended the Tinubu administration’s economic record, saying the President had stabilised an economy he described as being in a difficult situation when he assumed office. He also pointed to developments in road infrastructure as part of the administration’s record.
His comments come as the 2027 presidential contest gathers momentum, with Tinubu, Atiku and Obi among the major political figures at the centre of the emerging contest. Campaigning for the 2027 presidential election began in August.
The opposition coalition question has also remained a major issue ahead of the election, with several opposition parties exploring the possibility of presenting a common candidate against the ruling APC.
Fayose’s 12-million-vote projection is his political forecast and should not be treated as an established election result or independent polling estimate.
