Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has claimed that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde once assured him that he would never allow himself to be used against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing it as a matter of Yoruba political solidarity.
Speaking on TVC’s Politics Tonight, Fayose reflected on the crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the activities of the G-5 governors before the 2023 presidential election, and emerging political alignments ahead of 2027.
Fayose accused Makinde of contributing significantly to the PDP’s internal crisis, arguing that political ambitions among members of the G-5 complicated the party’s affairs.
He recalled that Makinde contacted him after seeing a campaign flyer promoting the Oyo governor for president. According to Fayose, Makinde told him that if he intended to contest for the presidency, he would make the announcement himself and would not allow himself to be used against Tinubu.
Fayose also alleged that Makinde took control of the PDP structure in Ekiti State, prompting him to withdraw from the party’s internal activities.
Speaking on the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, Fayose said he stayed in Osogbo and visited markets and communities to assess the mood of voters before the election. He described the contest as extremely close and said the outcome could not have been confidently predicted before voting.
He condemned the violence, killings and desperation associated with parts of the election and urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to be magnanimous in victory by pursuing reconciliation with political opponents and other stakeholders.
Fayose also commented on allegations of federal influence in the election, arguing from his experience that a determined federal government could exert significant influence over an election.
His comments come after Adeleke defeated Bola Oyebamiji, the APC candidate, in the August 15 Osun governorship election.