Real reason I won’t betray Ekiti PDP – Fayose

Ayodele Fayose, a former governor of Ekiti State, refuted on Monday that he had dumped the opposition Peoples Democratic Party for the All Progressives Congress, expressing his wish to see the party return to winning ways in the state by 2026.

Fayose, who had earlier stated that he would never join the APC, urged PDP members to quit disparaging his character and person, warning them against bitter politics.

The ex-governor was among those who championed the return of power to the South in the 2023 election, joining the ex-Rivers State Governor and now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike-led G5 to truncate the ambition of the presidential candidate of the PDP, Atiku Abubakar.

Fayose, during the electioneering, campaigned openly for President Bola Tinubu, who was the candidate of the APC in the election.

In his home state, the governor also rallied support for Governor Biodun Oyebanji as he reciprocated the visit of the governor and also declared his support for the administration.

Speaking in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, while addressing his supporters, on Monday, he, however, debunked the rumour that he took appointment from Oyebanji, saying that was far from the truth as Ekiti, a PDP state, must be rescued from the hands of the APC.

“I have come to tell you that the PDP must not die in Ekiti State. I want you to have peace, please don’t destroy my personality.

“When we come to the election period, we will fight BAO (Governor Biodun Oyebanji). The PDP is not in order in Ekiti, let us come together,” he said.

While harping on the need for party members to eschew politics of bitterness, Fayose said, “I feel satisfied with the works that Governor Oyebanji has done so far in the state.

“BAO is a humble governor. Thirteen times, he visited me in Lagos to greet me. We discussed the progress and development of the state. I have to respect him. That has nothing to do with politics. He is the only governor that has brought all governors in the state together.

“When it is time for the election, we will confront him. I am a landmark governor in Ekiti State. We supported Asiwaju in the last presidential election because he is a Yoruba man, and it’s time for our Presidency,” Fayose said.

He urged PDP members to close ranks, embrace peace and discourage divisions and factions among them, in a bid to defeat the APC in the next governorship election in the state in 2026.

“I am beginning campaigns ahead of the congresses in two local government areas. I will go to all local government areas and I will support them with logistics for the election of our party. I am not looking for opposition. If you say Fayose does not matter, wait, during the election you will see,” he said.

While calling on party members to come together, he said, “Let there be no Biodun Olujimi, Ayodele Fayose, Bisi Kolawole, or Duro Faseyi factions in the PDP. Let us work for peace to be able to win elections in the state.”

The leadership crisis which has plagued the PDP in Ekiti State for some years saw it divided along the factions of Fayose and Olujimi.