Former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose has declared that politicians seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu and Governor Biodun Oyebanji ahead of future elections were chasing shadows, arguing that both leaders had built significant political advantage through performance and growing public support, but his remarks triggered an immediate public rebuke from the Ekiti PDP governorship candidate who rejected his assessment of Oyebanji’s record.
Fayose said his support for both Tinubu and Oyebanji was not based on party affiliation but on what he described as their demonstrated commitment to governance, development, and responsiveness to the needs of citizens. He praised Oyebanji specifically for carrying all stakeholders along, reducing political tension, and promoting inclusiveness in a way that had earned him support across party lines.
PDP governorship candidate Dr. Wole Oluyede, speaking at an interactive session with journalists at his country home in Ikere-Ekiti, said he had tremendous respect for Fayose’s right to make political choices but held a different view on the Oyebanji administration’s performance, arguing that governance should be assessed based on the expectations of the people particularly in security, infrastructure development, and public service delivery.
However, on national politics, Oluyede aligned with Fayose in reaffirming support for President Tinubu, saying his backing for the president was a long-standing position based on conviction and that stronger collaboration between the federal and state governments would help deliver the benefits of ongoing reforms to the people.
