From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
A former governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has disclosed that the kind of politics played by the governor of the state, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, was why he had thrown his weight behind the governor.
Fayose who stated that Oyebanji has been performing well and making peace since he came to power, noted his role of bringing leaders together in the state is commendable, adding that the governor has visited him 13 times since his assumption of office.
Fayose hinted that his support for the governor, won’t stop him from working against the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2026 governorship election and other elections in the state.
Fayose who said he still remains in the Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) urged leaders of the party to close ranks and come together to reposition the party in the state
Fayose made the remarks during a meeting with members of his Osoko Political Assembly (OPA), ahead of the forthcoming PDP Ward Congress, in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, after the former governor was alleged of romancing the APC-led government in the state.
“I am in support of Governor Biodun Oyebanji because of his style of politics. He is doing well in Ekiti. He has visited me 13 times in Lagos since his inauguration.
“Some will say I have a soft spot for the governor but one thing I will say is that I have gone beyond politics of bitterness that I will have to destroy people just because I want to take their position or my party, you won’t find me there.
“When we get to an election year, we will slug it out but so far, so good, the gentleman (Oyebanji) is trying, he is uniting the state because without peace you can’t do anything. If someone (governor) comes to my house 13 times, will I say he should go out of my house? It is not possible.
“When the other former governors were in the office, we were all fighting each other but Oyebanji has shown a kind of politics of embracing everybody. The current governor so far has done well and we can’t crucify him because this is not an election year or season.
“We can’t destroy him because we want to take his position, it is only God that gives power and if PDP does not come together, it will be too bad because we would rather remain a party for political reasons and not for government.”
Speaking on the forthcoming Congress and the future of the PDP in the state, Fayose said there was a need for leaders and stakeholders to settle their internal wranglings and work for the peace and stability of the party to win coming elections in the state
The and the congress is for some to win and lose. Whoever wins this congress, should be magnanimous and love everybody.
“Let me equally say that no group can do it alone; either Ayodele Fayose group or Biodun Olujimi group or Duro Faseyi, nobody can do it alone, we need to close ranks.
“I have won election twice for the PDP in this state and whatever people say, I know I have done my part and I shall continue to try my best but above all, let us all come together, the stakes are high and nobody knows tomorrow.”