Ahead of the 2027 general election, political discussions in Nigeria continue to intensify as key figures and party leaders assess the strengths and weaknesses of potential presidential contenders. One of the latest voices to contribute to the debate is Oladimeji Fabiyi, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who recently shared his views during an interview on Trust TV.………
Speaking on the current political landscape, Fabiyi expressed confidence in the political strength of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, popularly known as BAT. According to him, the president’s influence, political network, and nationwide structure place him in a strong position ahead of the next presidential election.
During the interview, Fabiyi stated, “No southerner can defeat BAT; forget about GEJ, Obi, and Makinde, they cannot defeat him.” His comment referred to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, all of whom have been mentioned in political discussions surrounding the 2027 race.
Fabiyi argued that electoral victory in Nigeria goes beyond popularity or regional support. He explained that successful presidential campaigns are largely built on political structure, grassroots mobilization, and long-standing alliances across different parts of the country. According to him, the ruling party continues to maintain significant advantages in these areas.
He further noted that opposition parties may struggle to challenge the incumbent effectively if they fail to build a united front. Fabiyi emphasized that internal disagreements, weak coalitions, and fragmented political interests could reduce the chances of opposition parties in the next election cycle.
The ADC chieftain also highlighted the importance of state-level influence and established political relationships in determining electoral outcomes in Nigeria. In his view, assumptions that any candidate can easily defeat the ruling party may not reflect the realities of the nation’s political system.
Although he acknowledged that the 2027 presidential election is expected to be highly competitive, Fabiyi maintained that the ruling party currently holds a strategic advantage. He concluded that opposition groups must adopt more coordinated and practical strategies if they hope to present a serious challenge in the coming election.
