Former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, has accused Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, of positioning himself as an “emergency opposition mouthpiece” following what he described as a frosty reception from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a recent visit to the Presidential Villa.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Fayose claimed that Makinde’s recent critical remarks against President Tinubu, delivered at the birthday celebration of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, were driven by frustration after an unsuccessful attempt to mend fences with the President.
Fayose alleged that Makinde’s comments at the event confirmed that his visit to the Villa did not yield the outcome he had hoped for.
“That Seyi Makinde’s derogatory remarks against President Tinubu at Osinbajo’s birthday further confirmed that he was given a cold shoulder during his last visit to the Villa,” Fayose said.
According to him, Makinde had initially tried to manage the backlash from his earlier public statements against the President but was reportedly disappointed by the reception he received during the visit.
“In an effort to do damage control after his public speech against the President, Makinde went to see Asiwaju and met the shock of his political life,” Fayose stated.
Fayose further argued that the development effectively closed the door on any reconciliation between both leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“It has become clear that after receiving that cold shoulder, Makinde realized that the end of the road had come in terms of reconciliation with the President,” he said.
He also claimed that President Tinubu had made his political stance on Oyo State clear, insisting that the President would back candidates of his party in the next general elections.
“As far as Oyo State is concerned, the President has made it clear that he will support his party’s candidates in 2027,” Fayose alleged.
The former governor suggested that Makinde’s subsequent remarks, in which he reportedly described President Tinubu as a dictator while praising the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, were a reaction to the alleged snub.
Fayose also questioned Makinde’s political future within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), hinting that the Oyo State governor might contest future elections under a different platform.
“The APC in Oyo State should brace up to face Makinde’s candidate, which he may field under the ADC, knowing that the PDP may not be available for him to use,” Fayose added.
