Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has vowed to teach Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, a political lesson, accusing him of undermining the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) structure in the South-West.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Fayose declared that he remains a formidable force in politics and warned against taking him for granted. According to him, Makinde dismantled the political structure he built within the PDP and failed to treat party stakeholders fairly.
Fayose stated that while he is known for supporting those who respect him, he is equally prepared to challenge anyone he believes has betrayed trust.
“We will teach Makinde a political lesson,” he said. “If you respect me, you will enjoy my support and goodwill, but if you disrespect me, you will experience the other side of Fayose. I am not a politician who can be taken for granted.”
The former governor further accused Makinde of weakening the PDP in the South-West by taking control of structures that had been established by other party leaders.
According to Fayose, Makinde’s presidential ambition contributed significantly to his political troubles within the party. While acknowledging that every qualified politician has the right to seek higher office, he argued that political aspirations should not come at the expense of loyalty and trust among party members.
“Makinde destroyed the South-West PDP and took over my structure. Politics requires fairness. His decision to declare for the presidency became his major mistake. There is nothing wrong with contesting for president, but trust should not be betrayed. The next elections are approaching, and when the time comes, we will see how events unfold,” Fayose added.
Fayose Backs Tinubu’s Re-Election Chances
In a separate interview on EKTV, Fayose also expressed confidence in the political strength of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that opposition figures such as Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi would be unable to defeat him in a presidential election.
Reacting to calls from some Nigerians for Tinubu to resign over the worsening security situation across the country, Fayose dismissed the demands, claiming that most of those advocating for the president’s resignation are supporters of opposition candidates.
He argued that political rivalries often influence public criticism and maintained that Tinubu remains a dominant force in Nigeria’s political landscape.
“A lot of people on social media are calling on Tinubu to resign, but he still has time left in office,” Fayose said. “Many of those making such demands already support other candidates. Some support Peter Obi, while others support Atiku Abubakar.”
The former governor maintained that Tinubu’s political experience and resilience make him difficult to defeat at the polls. He recalled how Tinubu emerged victorious in the 2023 presidential election despite not enjoying the full backing of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
According to Fayose, Tinubu would still emerge victorious even if elections were held multiple times.
“If the election is conducted ten times, Tinubu will defeat all of them,” he said. “A man who fought his way to the presidency despite not having Buhari’s support will not simply sit back and allow the opposition to take power from him. He is a strong political fighter.”
Fayose’s comments come amid ongoing debates over the future of the PDP, growing political realignments ahead of the next general election, and increasing discussions about potential contenders for Nigeria’s presidency in 2027.
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