I Will Work Against Atiku Again If He Runs For President, Says Fayose

Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has reaffirmed his opposition to any potential 2027 presidential ambition by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, insisting he would work against him once again if he decides to run.

Fayose made this declaration on Friday, April 18, during an appearance on Politics Today, a current affairs programme on Channels Television. He stressed that his stance is based on what he described as the People’s Democratic Party (PDP)’s continued disregard for internal agreements, particularly those concerning 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,” he stated firmly.

According to Fayose, the party’s failure to honour the zoning principle triggered internal crises following the decision to return the presidential ticket to the North after President Muhammadu Buhari’s two-term tenure. He argued that the South deserved the presidency in 2023 and that bypassing this understanding deepened divisions within the PDP.

“After eight years of a Northerner, it is the turn of a Southerner. You don’t have to like a Nyesom Wike or Peter Obi, but there should be an unwritten, respected gentleman’s agreement on power shift,” he added.

Fayose, who had also opposed Atiku’s 2023 presidential bid, reiterated that his actions were in the interest of national balance and not personal dislike.

“Don’t get it wrong. I worked against him 100 percent. Nigeria is bigger than PDP or APC,” he noted.

Despite his criticisms, Fayose admitted that for the PDP to survive and command loyalty, it must demonstrate accountability and fairness in its internal structure.

“The party must be equitable and accountable. A party or a parent that is irresponsible will produce rebellious children, anger, and division,” he said.

Looking ahead, the ex-governor warned that after President Bola Tinubu’s time in office, leadership should rotate again to maintain national unity.

“If Tinubu gets a second term, then after him, it should return to the North. At that time, I will be about 70 years old, and I will insist that it’s the North’s turn,” Fayose declared.