Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has revealed that he actively worked against his party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, during the February 25, 2023 election.
Fayose, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stated that he supported the All Progressives Congress (APC) flag bearer, Bola Tinubu, “100%” because he felt the PDP had treated him unfairly.
According to Fayose, he did not work for the PDP in the last election as he believed in focusing on one candidate at a time. He emphasized his support for Asiwaju Tinubu, describing him as a respectable figure from the South-West, asserting that it was the South’s turn to produce the president.
“My name is Ayodele Fayose, Peter the Rock aka Oshoko. I worked for Bola Tinubu and the APC in the last election. I am too old to be denying my actions.”
During a meeting with the President at Aso Villa in Abuja on July 6, 2023, Fayose expressed his dissatisfaction with the PDP, mentioning that the party had suspended both him and his son, Oluwajomiloju, despite his significant sacrifices for the PDP.
Fayose, a member of the G5 or Integrity Group, an aggrieved faction within the PDP, criticized the party for nominating Atiku, a former Vice President from the North-East, as its presidential candidate. He argued that with the end of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s two-term tenure, a Southern Nigerian should be the next President.
Fayose pledged to take legal action against the PDP if the party takes disciplinary measures against him for supporting Tinubu in the previous elections, emphasizing his intention to speak out even more forcefully if his voice is suppressed.
The former governor clarified that his recent visit to the President was unrelated to his ongoing court case with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He dismissed claims that Tinubu could influence the EFCC trial, which has been ongoing for five years.
Fayose stated that he would not accept any ministerial position offered by the President and urged Tinubu to allocate 40% of his cabinet positions to individuals in their 60s and 70s, 30% to women, and 30% to young people.
He said, “I don’t want any appointment. I don’t want to be Minister. All of us above 60 that have tested power should go and rest. The President should appoint well educated and young professional.”
Ayodele Fayose also condemned the European Union’s Report on the 2023 general elections stating that the 2023 elections were better than 2019.
“Where was the EU when I was hit on the head in an election in Ekiti state? Let them enjoy their report. The election has come and gone. Cases are in court. Let the court decide. But the 2023 presidential election was better than the election of 2019.”
