A former lawmaker from Ekiti State, Dayo Adeyeye, has dismissed insinuations that the death of former President Muhammadu Buhari and the rumoured presidential ambition Governor, Seyi Makinde, would affect President Bola Tinubu’s chances in the 2027 elections.
Adeyeye, who chairs the Board of the Nigeria Ports Authority and is a former Minister of State for Works, spoke to journalists on Saturday in Lagos, reacting to claims that Buhari’s influence in the north contributed significantly to Tinubu’s 2023 victory.
However, Adeyeye argued that conversations linking Buhari’s passing to Tinubu’s electoral fortunes were based on faulty assumptions.
The former minister, who also serves as National Chairman of the South West Agenda for Asiwaju, maintained that Tinubu’s victory in 2023 was not dependent on Buhari’s popularity but on nationwide support and hard work.
He said, “It’s not correct. In fact, Tinubu will win more votes in the north and elsewhere in 2027 than anytime ever in the history of the republic.”
Adeyeye also rejected rumours that the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) bloc within the APC had distanced itself from Tinubu, stressing that most of its members remained firmly behind the president.
“Ninety per cent of the CPC figures are with him (Tinubu), quote me any where. The leadership met about three or four weeks ago and said they are with Tinubu,” he added.
On the speculation that Makinde might contest against Tinubu, Adeyeye insisted the move would not weaken the president’s chances in the South West.
“No, it’s not. It’s not a threat at all. Absolutely not, it is of no consequence. It has no effect. People are not fools.
“Seyi Makinde is a good candidate, he is a good person, a good governor and highly qualified; he is qualified to run for President, but he will not take a single vote out of Tinubu in 2027.
“People know who they want and that is the way I look at it. Tinubu is going to win in all regions and and he is going to win massively.”Un