Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Ekiti State, Wole Oluyede, has stated that former governor, Ayodele Fayose, made a wrong choice when he threw his weight behind Governor Biodun Oyebanji.

It was reported that Oluyede said this during an interactive session with journalists in Ado-Ekiti.

He rejected claims that Fayose has the political strength to determine the outcome of the forthcoming governorship election.

The PDP chieftain, however, acknowledged Fayose’s right to support any candidate of his choice but maintained that the former governor made the wrong political judgment.

He says the endorsements should be on the basis of measurable achievements and governance outcomes, saying the current administration has failed to meet expectations in key areas especially security and infrastructure.

”I respect Fayose and his right to support whoever he wants. It’s nothing personal. But if you ask me, he has taken the wrong decision by supporting this government,” Oluyede said.

The governorship hopeful said he was surprised that Fayose would endorse the administration despite what he termed glaring deficiencies in governance.

“I am disappointed because it indicates that the bar for supporting a government has been set very low. “There is little basis for such an endorsement if you look at the realities on the ground, especially in security and public service delivery,” he said.

But Oluyede ruled out any confrontation with the former governor over his political position, saying Fayose is entitled to his convictions as others are entitled to theirs.

He said the coming governorship election would be decided by the people of Ekiti State and not by endorsements from political leaders.

“People will decide. This election will not be won on endorsements or political declarations. Ekiti people are intelligent and they will judge those seeking their mandate on their performance,” he said.

The PDP candidate also took the opportunity to express concern about the security situation in the state, saying many residents now live in fear because of the increasing criminal activities.

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Wole Oluyede, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, governorship candidate in Ekiti State has faulted ex-governor Ayodele Fayose for endorsing Governor Biodun Oyebanji, saying that the governor’s performance does not deserve such support.

Oluyede spoke during an interactive session with newsmen in Ado-Ekiti, where he debunked suggestions that Fayose’s political weight would have a huge impact on the outcome of the forthcoming governorship election.

While acknowledging Fayose’s right to support any candidate of his choice, the PDP chieftain said the former governor has made the wrong political judgment by throwing his weight behind the incumbent administration.

Endorsements should be based on “measurable achievements and governance outcomes,” he said, adding that the current administration has “failed to deliver” in key areas, especially security and infrastructure.

“Fayose is my respected elder and as such is entitled to support anyone. We have no personal problems. But in my opinion he has made the wrong decision supporting this government,” Oluyede said.

He expressed surprise that Fayose would support the administration in spite of what he described as glaring governance deficiencies.

He said the standards that should be applied to measure government performance should be much higher and that the endorsement raises questions about the standards being used to measure the administration.

“I’m disappointed because it shows the bar is set very low for endorsing a government. “If you look at the realities on the ground, especially security and public service delivery, there is little basis for such an endorsement,” he told the Daily Maverick.

Oluyede, however, said there would be no clash with the former governor on his political stance, adding that Fayose was entitled to his convictions like others who have theirs.

He added that the upcoming governorship election would be decided by the people of Ekiti State and not by the endorsement of political leaders.

The people will decide. Endorsements and talking points aren’t going to win this election. The Ekiti people are intelligent and they will judge those seeking their mandate on their performance,” he said.

He also used the opportunity to express concerns about the security situation in the state, claiming that many residents now live in fear as a result of the increasing criminal activities.

He castigated what he called poor response of government to security challenges, poor state of police facilities and lack of modern security infrastructure to effectively tackle crimes.

If citizens are afraid to move freely or attend social and community functions, no government can claim success, he says.

Oluyede also questioned the use of security votes allocated to the state, insisting that there is need for greater transparency and accountability in handling public resources devoted to security.

In the country’s political sphere, he re-affirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu, explaining that his support for the President predates current political affiliations and is based on his belief that Tinubu is still the best person to lead Nigeria at this time.

He said he supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition before joining the APC on grounds of conviction and not political expediency.

While acknowledging the economic and governance challenges confronting the country, Oluyede, however, maintained that the President’s efforts would make more impact if state governments effectively translated available resources into improved security, infrastructure and public services for citizens.

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Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has said that the opposition parties have ruined their journey to oust President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 election.

There are many presidential candidates that have emerged and Nigerians are expecting more than three horse race, including Atiku Abubakar of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Peter Obi of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Seyi Makinde of the Allied People Movement (APM), Kachikwu Dumebi of the ADC faction, Esther Okereke of the National Rescue Movement (NRM), Omoyele Sowore, among others.

Speaking on the recent development within the opposition parties, Fayose, in an interview with Channels Television, said if the opposition was united, Tinubu would have got a run for his money.

Fayose said that President Tinubu is going unopposed in the coming election

“Nobody is contesting against Tinubu,” he said. You may not like to hear this, but you Reality differs from noise on social media.

“If the opposition coalition had held together and they are to be in one party against Tinubu, I will say Tinubu will have a run for his money.

“Tinubu is like every Nigerian leader that I believe in but let me tell you, the moment that they have NDC, and they have ADC, initially they were saying Tinubu was pushing for a one-party state now there are so many parties, they have destroyed their journey by themselves.

“You remember when Atiku and Obi ran, it was a great three-way contest and Tinubu got his way, and I’m telling you again, Tinubu will get his way with ease.”

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Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has stated that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde will not be running for president in the 2027 general elections.

Governor Makinde, a key member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), had previously shown confidence in his leadership abilities and hinted at a possible presidential ambition. In an earlier interview, Makinde remarked:

“I don’t have any doubt that I have the capacity to occupy the highest office in this land and I have what it takes. But what I want to do right now— is it what Nigerians are asking for? Is it what my party will say we should do? We don’t know; we still have a long time to go.”

However, Fayose, speaking on Wednesday, dispelled speculations of any such ambition. While appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, he said Makinde had no intention to run and was unaware of social media materials suggesting otherwise.

“Let me say to you, I saw adverts running on social media. With due respect to Governor Makinde, I forwarded it to him. He called me and said it’s not wrong, but he doesn’t know anything about those flyers. It was some boys flying it,” Fayose stated.

Fayose affirmed his trust in Makinde’s words, emphasizing that the governor would not allow himself to be used to undermine a Yoruba presidency.

“I would rather believe whatever he tells me as a brother. And he told me that he’s not going to be the person that will be used against a Yoruba man as president. I stand to be corrected, but based on what he has told me… unless anything changes.”

This clarification comes amid increasing political speculation ahead of the 2027 election cycle.

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