Former Governor of Ekiti State and prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Ayodele Fayose, has painted a grim outlook for his party, suggesting it may not secure a top-three finish in Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

During an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Fayose expressed concern over the party’s current state, saying that unless drastic changes are made, the PDP might only secure fourth place — and that, he added, would take "serious prayers."

Fayose blamed the party’s steady decline on persistent internal conflicts, disunity, the exodus of key figures, and its failure to connect with the Nigerian electorate through a compelling political strategy.

“There are too many problems within the PDP. These days, it’s even embarrassing to be associated with the party. It has grown too weak to win anything significant,” Fayose stated. “With divine intervention, maybe we’ll come fourth. APC will take first, Obi second, ADC third, and PDP will follow.”

He criticized the party’s leadership for mismanaging internal affairs and allowing influential members to exit, leaving what he described as a "carcass" of the PDP. Fayose also accused the leadership of sidelining him despite his long-standing contributions to the party.

“The PDP has lost its essence — the soul and spirit are gone, only the shell remains. Many of the party’s influential figures have left, and it’s been mismanaged to the point of collapse,” he said. “In several states, the party has already given up ground and pushed out many of its leaders.”

Despite his criticisms, Fayose reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP.

“I’ve paid my dues in this party. You can’t just ignore someone like me in Ekiti and expect everything to go smoothly,” he said. “I remain a PDP member and will continue to be one. If I ever leave, I’ll simply go home. I won’t join APC, ADC, or the Labour Party.”