A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Lere Olayinka, has said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will face a less challenging presidential election in 2027 than he did in 2023.
Olayinka made the statement during an interview on TVC Breakfast on Monday, attributing Tinubu’s expected advantage to his administration’s performance and his ability to build political alliances across party lines.
According to him, Tinubu’s political strategy has weakened opposition mobilisation by attracting influential figures from rival political parties to work with his administration.
He described the 2027 presidential election as one that could be significantly easier for Tinubu than the 2023 contest.
“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,” 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.”
Olayinka specifically highlighted the role of Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and a member of the PDP, who has continued to work with the Tinubu administration.
He argued that Wike’s political influence could have strengthened the PDP ahead of 2027 had he 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.
The PDP chieftain also cited the potential impact of different opposition figures supporting presidential candidates from separate political platforms.
He referenced Abia State Governor Alex Otti and Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, arguing that such divisions could further complicate efforts to build a united opposition against Tinubu.
“Imagine Alex Otti also pushing Labour Party presidential candidate. Imagine Adeleke pushing Accord Party presidential candidate. Imagine Wike is pushing that of PDP,” Olayinka said.
He maintained that Tinubu’s willingness to work with politicians across party lines had not only made governance easier for the president but had also strengthened his political position ahead of the 2027 election.
“By being open, by bringing people to himself, he has been able to make governance easier. He has also been able to make politics easier for himself,” Olayinka said.
Olayinka further urged Nigerians to recognise Wike’s political support for Tinubu despite the FCT minister’s continued membership of the PDP.
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