Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has described Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as the only political force giving relevance to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that other key figures linked to the coalition are largely “spent forces.”
Fayose made the remarks during an exclusive interview with veteran journalist Reuben Abati, where he argued that Obi’s political value transcends any party platform he chooses to align with.
According to Fayose, Obi is the only individual generating traction, meaning and public interest within the ADC, noting that without him, the party’s chances would be significantly weaker.
“Let Obi not go to ADC. Let Obi go to another party. Say he goes to Accord, Obi will still be the only traction. Obi is the only meaning, the only factor, the only person in ADC that matters,” Fayose said.
He dismissed the political relevance of other prominent figures associated with the coalition, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, describing them as forces whose influence has waned.
Drawing a parallel with Obi’s move to the Labour Party in 2022, Fayose noted that Obi’s presence alone transformed the party’s fortunes, leading to electoral victories, including seats in the House of Representatives.
While clarifying that he was neither predicting Obi’s victory nor defeat in a future presidential contest, Fayose maintained that any political platform excluding Obi would struggle significantly.
“I’m not saying Obi will win or won’t win. But I’m telling you, if ADC fails to field Obi, their case will be worse than their coming together,” he added.
