Ayo Fayose, a leading member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stated that Peter Obi, a former presidential candidate, has become the voice of the opposition as the crisis within the party deepens.

In an exclusive interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, Fayose mentioned that journalists have started leaning towards the Labour Party to respond to government policies rather than the PDP, despite the PDP being a much larger political party than the LP.

Addressing the ongoing crisis within the party, even before the 2023 presidential elections, Fayose expressed, "Obi is almost the voice of the opposition. The press will call Obi instead of calling the PDP. So where is the party? The party is gone."

He also advised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar to refrain from contesting elections in the country. Fayose suggested that Atiku should make way for a younger candidate, as he would be 81 years old by the time President Bola Tinubu completes his first term.

Atiku has previously run for the presidency six times, in 1993, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, and 2023. There are speculations that he may run again in the 2027 general elections, as his aides have hinted at his intentions.

In an interview with Voice of Hausa earlier this year, the 77-year-old responded with "God willing" when asked if he would run again.

"I am sure at this stage, with all due respect to him, he would rather want to stay away from the politics of contesting elections again," Fayose said.

"By the time Asiwaju (Bola Tinubu) will finish, Atiku Abubakar will probably be 80 or 81, so what will be the attraction?

"We should leave the stage when the ovation is loudest. I respect him and I think Nigerians are craving for a younger generation more than ever before, so on what basis will Atiku come and contest again? And like I always say, we can defeat the APC but when we don't have a party, how do we defeat them?

When you complain about APC and don't have a party, how do you compete?" he said.