Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has said President Bola Tinubu remains the frontrunner for Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election, arguing that a fragmented opposition has weakened its chances of mounting a serious challenge to the ruling party.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Fayose said opposition parties had failed to build a united front capable of competing effectively against the incumbent president.

“Nobody is contesting against Tinubu,” Fayose said, maintaining that political realities differ from perceptions often amplified on social media.

According to the former governor, President Tinubu would have faced a more formidable contest if opposition leaders had remained within a single coalition and presented a united candidate. Instead, he said, the emergence of multiple political platforms and presidential hopefuls has further divided opposition forces ahead of the next general election.

Fayose argued that the opposition’s current situation mirrors the circumstances surrounding the 2023 presidential election, when votes were split among several major candidates, helping Tinubu secure victory.

His comments come amid increasing political activity ahead of the 2027 polls, with opposition parties seeking to strengthen their positions while the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) prepares for a re-election campaign.

Despite concerns in some quarters over economic hardship, inflation and insecurity, Fayose insisted that the opposition has yet to present a cohesive alternative capable of threatening Tinubu’s bid for a second term.

Political observers, however, note that Nigeria’s electoral landscape remains fluid, with more than six months before political parties are expected to fully unveil their strategies and candidates for the 2027 election. Recent developments have also seen key opposition figures pursuing separate political paths, raising questions about whether a united challenge to the incumbent administration can be achieved.

The 2027 presidential election is expected to be one of Nigeria’s most closely watched political contests, with parties positioning themselves for what could be another highly competitive race.