Former Governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose, on Monday, dismissed insinuations that he had dumped the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the governing All Progressives Congress (APC).
Fayose, who said he would never join APC, appealed to PDP members to stop maligning his character and person and cautioned them against politics of bitterness.
The former governor, who spoke in Ado Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, while addressing his supporters, urged party members to close ranks, embrace peace and discourage divisions and factions among them in a bid to defeat APC in the next governorship election in the state.
Fayose said, “I am beginning campaigns ahead of the congresses in two local government areas. I will go to all local government areas and I will support them with logistics for the election of our party. I am not looking for opposition, If you say Fayose does not matter, wait, during election you will see.”
While calling on party members to come together, he said, “Let there be no Biodun Olujimi, Ayodele Fayose, Bisi Kolawole or Duro Faseyi factions in PDP, let us work for peace to be able to win election in the state.
Fayose debunked rumour that he took appointment from Oyebanji, saying that was far from the truth as Ekiti, a PDP state, must be rescued from the hands of APC.
The former governor said, “I have come to tell you that the PDP must not die in Ekiti State. I want you to have peace, please don’t destroy my personality.
“When we come to election period, we will fight BAO (Governor Biodun Oyebanji). The PDP is not in order in Ekiti, let us come together”.
While harping on the need for party members to eschew politics of bitterness, Fayose said, “I feel satisfied with the works that Governor Oyebanji have done so far in the state.
“BAO is a humble governor. Thirteen times, he has visited me in Lagos to greet me. We discussed the progress and development of the state. I have to respect him, that has nothing to do with politics. He is the only governor that has brought all governors in the state together.
“When it is time for election, we will confront him. I am a landmark governor in Ekiti State. We supported Asiwaju in the last presidential election because he is a Yoruba man, and it’s time for our Presidency,” Fayose said.
Recall that the leadership crisis which has plaqued PDP in Ekiti State for some years saw it divided along the lines of Fayose and Olujimi.
Consequently, there have been insinuations recently that Fayose, in view of his closeness to Oyebanji of the APC, has dumped the PDP and has been given an appointment by the governor.
