Former Governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has accused Oyo State Governor, Mr Seyi Makinde, of positioning himself as what he described as an “emergency opposition mouthpiece” following an alleged cold reception from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Fayose made the allegation in a statement issued on Sunday, reacting to recent comments made by Governor Makinde against President Tinubu at the birthday celebration of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. According to Fayose, Makinde’s remarks were not accidental but were driven by frustration after what he claimed was an unsuccessful attempt to reconcile with the President.
“That Seyi Makinde’s derogatory comment against President Tinubu at Osinbajo’s birthday further confirmed that he got a cold shoulder from the President during his last visit to the Villa,” Fayose said.
The comments have added a new twist to the growing political tension between leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and key figures within the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), especially as early alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections begin to take shape.
Governor Makinde, a two-term governor and one of the most influential figures in the PDP, has in recent months been vocal about national issues and governance. His comments at Osinbajo’s birthday event, where he reportedly criticised President Tinubu’s leadership style and praised aspects of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, sparked reactions across the political space.
Fayose claimed that Makinde had earlier tried to manage the situation after making public comments that were seen as critical of President Tinubu. According to him, Makinde’s visit to the Presidential Villa was part of efforts to reduce tension and repair strained relations with the President.
“In his attempt to do damage control on his public speech against the President, Makinde met the shock of his political life when he visited Asiwaju last week,” Fayose stated.
Fayose, who is also a former PDP governor, alleged that the meeting did not go as Makinde had hoped and marked a turning point in their political relationship. He claimed that Makinde came away from the visit disappointed and with the realisation that reconciliation with the President was no longer possible.
“It is now obvious that after getting that cold shoulder from the President, Makinde must have realised that the end of the road has come in terms of reconciliation between him and the President,” Fayose said.
The former Ekiti governor further alleged that President Tinubu made his political position on Oyo State very clear during the encounter. According to Fayose, the President left Makinde in no doubt that he would stand firmly with the APC in future political contests in the state.
“As far as Oyo State is concerned, the President made it clear that he will support his party’s candidates in 2027,” Fayose claimed.
This statement is significant given the political importance of Oyo State, which is one of the key states in the South-West. While the APC controls the federal government, the PDP currently governs Oyo State under Makinde. The battle for control of the state in 2027 is expected to be fierce, with both major parties already positioning themselves.
Fayose argued that Makinde’s critical comments about President Tinubu following the Villa visit were a direct reaction to the alleged snub. He said Makinde would not have publicly condemned the President if the meeting had gone well.
“If Makinde had gotten the soft landing he expected from the President, he wouldn’t have gone out to condemn the government of President Tinubu,” Fayose said.
The former Ekiti governor went further to describe Makinde’s actions as those of someone who had lost hope of working with the federal government and had decided to assume the role of a leading opposition voice. He suggested that Makinde was now trying to rally opposition forces ahead of 2027.
Fayose’s comments also touched on internal issues within the PDP. He suggested that Makinde’s political future within the party was uncertain, especially given ongoing disagreements among party leaders and unresolved leadership crises at the national level.
According to Fayose, Makinde may not even have the freedom to use the PDP platform to pursue his political ambitions in the next election cycle. He claimed that the governor might be forced to look elsewhere if he intends to remain politically relevant.
“The APC in Oyo State should wake up and slug it out with Makinde’s candidate, which he will field under the ADC, knowing fully well that the PDP won’t be open for him to use,” Fayose added.
This statement appears to suggest that Fayose believes Makinde could support or present a candidate under another political platform, such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC), if the PDP’s internal problems persist. However, Makinde has not publicly indicated any plan to leave the PDP.
The ongoing exchange highlights the wider struggles within Nigeria’s opposition politics since the 2023 general elections. The PDP has faced internal divisions, legal battles, and leadership disputes, weakening its ability to present a united front against the APC. Prominent figures like Makinde have increasingly spoken out on national issues, sometimes drawing sharp responses from political allies and rivals alike.
Fayose himself is known for his outspoken nature and has often taken positions that differ from those of other PDP leaders. While he remains a PDP member, he has, in the past, supported candidates outside the party and criticised its leadership openly. His comments on Makinde are therefore seen by some observers as part of a broader struggle for influence within the opposition.
As of the time of this report, Governor Makinde has not responded directly to Fayose’s allegations. The Presidency has also not issued any official statement confirming or denying claims of a cold reception at the Presidential Villa.