Tinubu Faces Easier 2027 Race Than 2023, Says PDP Chieftain

A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lere Olayinka, says President Bola Tinubu’s path to the 2027 presidential election is likely to be easier than his experience in the 2023 contest.

Olayinka made the claim during an interview on TVC Breakfast on Monday, citing what he described as Tinubu’s achievements in governance and his ability to build alliances with influential politicians outside the ruling party.

He said the president’s political approach had changed the dynamics of the opposition ahead of the next presidential election.

“The reason this election of 2027 will be a one-way election is because of the performance of the president in terms of national development and his performance in terms of politics, because this election is going to be the easiest,” Olayinka said.

“It will be much easier for the president than the 2023 election. That is a fact that most people are not willing to accept.”

The PDP chieftain singled out FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, who remains a member of the PDP while cooperating with the Tinubu administration, as an example of the president’s political reach.

Olayinka said Wike’s political influence could have been used to boost the PDP’s chances in 2027 if he had remained fully aligned with the opposition.

“If Wike was not working with the president, probably he would have been galvanizing more support for the PDP. Now he is not. The president has been able to bring him and other people to himself,” he said.

He further illustrated the potential divisions within the opposition by referencing Abia State Governor Alex Otti and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke.

“Imagine Alex Otti also pushing Labour Party presidential candidate. Imagine Adeleke pushing Accord Party presidential candidate. Imagine Wike is pushing that of PDP,” he said.

Olayinka maintained that Tinubu’s strategy of working with politicians from different political backgrounds had strengthened his position ahead of 2027.

“By being open, by bringing people to himself, he (Tinubu) has been able to make governance easier. He has also been able to make politics easier for himself,” he said.

He consequently urged Nigerians to take note of Wike’s support for Tinubu, stressing that the FCT minister continues to belong to the opposition PDP despite his cooperation with the president.

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