A former governor of Ekiti State, Mr Ayodele Fayose, has said Oyo State governor, Engr. Seyi Makinde, is not the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the South West.
The ex-governor, who spoke in Lagos on Monday while receiving prominent members of the party from Ondo State who paid him a solidarity visit, was reacting to a statement credited to the Oyo State Chapter of PDP.
The PDP in Oyo State had on Sunday declared that Makinde being the only governor from the party in the South West automatically confers the leadership of the party on him.
But Fayose noted that leadership should be earned and not be for anyone as a title.
The former governor added that an ex-Ondo State Commissioner for Information, Dr Eddy Olafeso, should be the next PDP National Vice Chairman (West) as earlier agreed in Makinde’s house at Ibadan, Oyo State.
Fayose commended members of the delegation for “not sitting on the fence.”
“It is dangerous to sit on the fence. I don’t play to the gallery,” he said.
He also berated Oyo PDP for calling him an “APC man,” adding that why wasn’t he labelled as such when he supported the Oyo State governor and worked for his victory in the 2019 election.
“Tell the baby governor that the way up is the way down. Let Makinde put feeding bottle in the mouth of his dogs. You are called a leader because you earned it, not your title.
“Can I be an All Progressives Congress man and be fighting Buhari? I was governor at 42. He is governor at 51. I don’t deserve an insult from Makinde.
“Governor Makinde is not my leader. He is my follower. Respect should beget respect. I have been a warrior. They thought I will be with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission now. But, I am surviving,” he added.
Speaking, Senator Tofowomo, who said Fayose was a credible leader of the PDP in the South West, added that he was accessible, a grassroot operator and a defender of fairness, equity and justice in the party in the last 17 years.
On his part, Ojomo described Fayose as a great and faithful leader worthy of pride, saying he was a fighter for justice.
Fayose and Makinde have been at loggerheads over the leadership of the party in South West.
The delegation was led by Senator Nicholas Tofowomo, representing Ondo South district in the National Assembly.
Among the delegation were Olafeso; former House of Representatives member, Lad Ojomo; ex-Ondo House of Assembly member, Niyi Ogunboye; Chief Ibini Oyedele; Chief Tunde Akindehin; Pastor Larry Ogunmusere, Ife Akinsoyinu; Sola Ebiwonjumi; Olusola Adewo; Adeolu Akinseye and Ebenezer Alabi.
