Businessman responds to criticism from Nyesom Wike’s aide, insisting the NDC would prevail in a free and fair presidential election

Businessman Isaac Fayose, younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose, has expressed confidence that the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) would emerge victorious in the 2027 presidential election if the poll is conducted in a free and fair manner.

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Fayose made the assertion in a post published on his Facebook page on Sunday while responding to comments by Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

The exchange follows Olayinka’s remarks questioning Fayose’s political influence in Ekiti State, prompting the businessman to defend his electoral relevance and accuse political opponents of relying on electoral malpractice.

“If you think I don’t have electoral value in Ekiti State, why are you guys rigging? Why are you people buying votes as much as N50,000?

“Why are you people arresting my boys a week before Ekiti governorship election? Electoral value is not on rigging or on judicial pronouncement,” Fayose wrote.

He further argued that the outcome of elections would be different if they were conducted without interference.

“If they call election today, NDC will win before 12 noon if the elections were free and fair. The only power you people have over us is rigging and the people are quiet,” he added.

Fayose did not provide evidence to support his allegations of vote buying, election rigging or politically motivated arrests. Likewise, Olayinka had not publicly responded to the latest claims as of the time of filing this report.

The comments come amid increasing political exchanges ahead of the 2027 general election, with parties and prominent political figures stepping up public engagements following the conclusion of party primaries in several states and the commencement of candidate nomination processes by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Electoral integrity is expected to remain a central issue in the build-up to the polls, with political parties, civil society organisations and election observers continuing to advocate transparent elections, strict enforcement of electoral laws and greater public confidence in the democratic process.

Fayose’s remarks add to the growing debate over the credibility of future elections, although allegations of electoral malpractice remain matters requiring investigation and proof by the appropriate authorities.

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His comments also reflect the intense political contest already taking shape as parties position themselves for the 2027 presidential race.