The immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose has once again berated Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South-West geo-political zone.
While receiving prominent members of the party who paid him a solidarity visit in Lagos on Monday, Fayose described Makinde as a “baby governor”, adding that the Oyo governor is his follower and not his leader.
The delegation was led by Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, representing Ondo South District in the National Assembly.
Among the delegation were Olafeso, former House of Representatives member, Lad Ojomo, ex-House of Assemblymember, Niyi Ogunboye, Chief Ibini Oyedele, Chief Tunde Akindehin, Pastor Larry Ogunmusere, Ife Akinsoyinu, Sola Ebiwonjumi, Olusola Adewo, Adeolu Akinseye and Ebenezer Alabi.
However, Fayose added that it was earlier agreed at Makinde’s house at Ibadan, Oyo State that an ex-Ondo State Information Commissioner, Dr Eddy Olafeso, should be the next PDP National Vice Chairman (West).
He, however, warned Makinde to earn leadership and not claim it as a title.
Fayose added, “Tell the baby governor that the way up is the way down. Let Makinde put feeding bottle in the mouth of his dogs. You are called a leader because you earned it, not your title.
He also bashed Makinde’s supporters for calling him an “APC man.”
He queried why he wasn’t called such when he supported the Oyo State governor and worked for his victory in last general elections.
“Can I be an All Progressives Congressman and be fighting Buhari (the President, Maj. Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (retd.)? I was governor at 42. He is a governor at 51. I don’t deserve an insult from Makinde.
“Governor Makinde is not my leader. He is my follower. Respect should beget respect. I have been a warrior. They thought I will be with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission now. But, I am surviving,” Fayose added
Fayose, however, commended members of the delegation who visited him for “not sitting on the fence.”
He stated, “It is dangerous to sit on the fence. I don’t play to the gallery.”
However, Senator Tofowomo, who led the prominent members, said Fayose was a credible leader of the PDP in the South-West.
Tofowomo added that Fayose will be supported because he was accessible, a grass-roots operator and a defender of fairness, equity and justice in the party in the last 17 years.
The Chieftains of Ondo PDP also made it clear said that Governor Seyi Makinde is not the leader of the party in the South-West.
Senator Tofowomo described Fayose as a credible leader of the PDP in the zone, stressing that he is very accessible, a grassroots operator and a defender of fairness, equity and justice in the party in the last 17 years.
Tofowomo said: “Fayose’s intervention is to end the injustice. I thank you for supporting Eddy Olafeso for the national vice chairman. Wherever you go, Ondo PDP will follow you. Olafeso has what it takes to lead us in the Southwest. When we were in the university 40 years ago, I was one of the boys that carried his posters.”
On his part, Lad Ojomo described Fayose as a great and faithful leader worthy of pride, adding that he is a fighter for justice.
He lamented that Ondo PDP was suffering from lack of effective leadership and unity of purpose.
