Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has once again declared that he will not support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar if he decides to contest the 2027 presidential election under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

 

Speaking on Politics Today, a political programme on Channels Television on Friday, Fayose said his opposition to Atiku remains firm, citing the failure of the PDP to respect the principle of power rotation.

 

“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 stated emphatically.

 

The former governor traced the internal crisis within the PDP to what he described as a betrayal of the party’s zoning arrangement, which he believes should have seen power shift to the South following the end of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration in 2023.

 

“After eight years of a Northerner, it is the turn of a Southerner — whether from the East, South West, or South South. Those who zoned power back to the North caused all these problems,” he said.

 

Fayose emphasized the need for political fairness and an unwritten “gentleman’s agreement” to ensure national balance and cohesion, noting that even if some leaders dislike figures like Nyesom Wike or Peter Obi, the principle of rotation must be upheld.

 

He reiterated that his decision to oppose Atiku in 2023 was in the interest of national unity and not merely party politics. “Nigeria is bigger than the PDP or the APC,” he asserted.

 

Fayose also warned that political parties that fail to act responsibly will breed internal rebellion and dissatisfaction.

 

“The party must be equitable, the party must be accountable. A party or parent that is irresponsible will produce irresponsible children, they will produce rebellion, they will produce anger,” he warned.

 

Looking ahead to future elections, Fayose stated that after President Bola Tinubu’s administration — should he secure a second term — power must again return to the South.

 

“After Asiwaju’s tenure, if God gives him a second term, let a Southerner come out. I will be around 70 then, and I will come out straight to say that a Southerner cannot be denied the presidency,” he said.

 

Fayose’s remarks are expected to further ignite conversations around zoning, regional equity, and internal democracy within Nigeria’s major political parties as the 2027 elections begin to take shape.