A fresh war of words has broken out between aides of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, following a 48-hour ultimatum issued by Fayose.
Paul Ibe, Media Adviser to Atiku, responded strongly to Fayose after the former governor reportedly gave him 48 hours to retract statements credited to him.
In a statement released on Thursday, Ibe said Fayose failed to properly identify the author of an earlier statement that criticised him. According to Ibe, the statement titled “Peter Ayodele Fayose’s Beer Parlour Tales of Infamy” was written by Ambassador Phrank Shaibu, and not by him.
“I am not disappointed with one Peter Ayodele Fayose for his inability to make a distinction between Ambassador Phrank Shaibu and my humble self,” Ibe said.
He questioned whether Fayose had carefully read the statement before reacting. In a sarcastic tone, Ibe suggested that Fayose may have been “under the influence of some beverages” when he responded.
He further mocked the 48-hour deadline given to him, asking, “Haba, is 48 hours not too long?”
The exchange appears to be the latest chapter in the ongoing disagreements within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), where internal divisions have persisted since the 2023 general elections.
Atiku Abubakar, who was the PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has remained a strong voice in opposition politics. However, some party members, including Fayose, have at different times criticised his leadership and political decisions.
Fayose, a former governor known for his outspoken style, has often taken positions that differ from Atiku’s camp. During past elections, he openly disagreed with certain strategies adopted by the party at the national level.
In his response, Ibe also made indirect references to Fayose’s political allies. He suggested that since Fayose mentioned his “oga” in a tweet, it was clear where his loyalties lie.
While Ibe’s statement was filled with sharp language and personal jabs, it reflects the growing tension among key figures in the opposition party. Observers say such public disputes may affect efforts by the PDP to reposition itself ahead of future elections.
The latest clash between Ibe and Fayose has again drawn attention to these divisions. Though the matter centres on who authored a critical statement, the strong language used by both sides suggests deeper political disagreements.
As of press time, Fayose had not issued a fresh response to Ibe’s latest remarks. Party members and supporters are watching closely to see whether the situation will calm down or lead to further exchanges.
For many Nigerians, the episode is another reminder of the intense rivalries that continue to shape the country’s political landscape, especially within parties preparing for future contests.
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