In a revealing new interview, former Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has made a stunning claim, asserting that he would have emerged as Nigeria’s President had he not withdrawn from the 2023 race in favour of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.…....
Fayemi, who was one of the leading aspirants for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 election, stepped down dramatically during the party’s primary to support Tinubu’s bid. Speaking in a recent podcast interview, the ex-governor openly reflected on that decision.
“I would have become president if I didn’t step down for Tinubu,” Fayemi declared.
The statement has sparked intense reactions across Nigeria’s political landscape, with many interpreting it as a sign of lingering ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections. Fayemi was responding to a direct question about whether he believes he would have won the presidency without conceding to Tinubu.
During the interview, Fayemi also criticised the APC for over-relying on “consensus” arrangements, warning that such practices are causing the party to lose its original vision and alienate key members. He described Peter Obi’s strong performance in the 2023 election as a “political phenomenon” that reflected widespread public frustration with the system.
Fayemi served as Governor of Ekiti State from 2018 to 2022 and was a prominent figure in the APC, previously chairing the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. His decision to step aside in 2022 was widely seen as a strategic move to consolidate support for Tinubu within the Southwest geopolitical zone.
As speculation mounts about political realignments and potential presidential contenders for 2027, Fayemi’s latest comments are likely to fuel fresh debates within the ruling party and opposition circles.
