Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, has dismissed rumours suggesting that Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, is nursing a presidential ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television, Fayose said Makinde personally denied knowledge of campaign flyers circulating online promoting his alleged presidential bid.
“Let me say to you,” Fayose began, “when I saw the advert running on social media, with all due respect to Governor Makinde, I forwarded it to him, and he called me. He said he is not running and that he doesn’t know anything about those flyers. He said it was some guys, some boys flying it. He has not told me otherwise.”
Fayose added that he trusted Makinde’s word. “I will not put words in his mouth. I would rather believe whatever he tells me as a brother,” he said.
“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 as of today, from what he told me, he will not [run], unless anything changes,” he added.
Commenting on Nigeria’s political history and voter expectations, Fayose recalled the transitions from former Presidents Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, Jonathan to Buhari, and how none could fully satisfy the public.Travel guides
“People said Falae would have done better. Obasanjo did eight years and left. Yar’Adua came and they said he was an angel. He passed, and we had Jonathan. Everybody said Jonathan must go. We will not agree,” he noted.
“An angel is coming. That angel was Buhari. Did he do well? I’m not going to answer yes or no. But there’s no day you will satisfy people of this country or any country at all. That is life,” he said.
He ended with a reflection on power and legacy: “You own nothing. Your wife is not your own; she is your wife until you pass. Your house is your home until you pass. It belongs to somebody else. Today, you are honourable until you leave. People are now saying Jonathan come back — the same Jonathan they drove many years ago.”
Fayose maintained it was only fair to allow President Bola Tinubu to complete his tenure. “It is best to allow Asiwaju to conclude his tenure because this is a southern slot,” he declared.