Former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, has clarified that his recent visit to President Bola Tinubu was purely personal and aimed at offering encouragement.
Speaking to journalists in Lagos on Monday after meeting with the president, Fayose emphasized the visit had no political undertones but was intended to show support for Tinubu’s efforts amid Nigeria’s current challenges.
“My visit is personal, to further encourage him to continue to do what he’s doing for Nigerians. No one is saying it is easy, but there is no miracle that can turn around things overnight,” Fayose said.
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He expressed appreciation for the steps the president has taken so far, stressing that Tinubu deserves recognition for his initiatives since assuming office.
“But for the little the president has done, we must commend him,” he added.
Reflecting on his past criticisms of the previous administration, Fayose noted that his previous positions have not blinded him to the current government’s efforts.“I was one-time critic of the last administration, but you cannot compare the situation now,” he said.
Fayose explained that his visit coincided with the president’s return home, offering him a chance to reaffirm his support and urge Tinubu to continue pushing forward.
“So, for me, I’m here, one, to take the opportunity of his homecoming, to visit him. And to encourage him to do more for Nigerians.”
He also recalled his longstanding respect for Tinubu’s leadership style, even during his tenure as a sitting governor under the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Even while I was off in office as a PDP governor, sitting governor, I’ve always believed in his leadership and I did not hide my support for him even before he became the president,” he said.
Fayose maintained that in the current state of Nigeria’s economy, what leaders need most is support and understanding from the public.
“And the only thing we can do as leaders of this country today is to continue to encourage him to lift up his hands, to make the public understand how uneasy it is to lead an economy that is down and today is being stabilised.”H
He praised the administration’s policies, which he said were beginning to restore hope.
“You see, there’s a difference between things changing outrightly, there’s no miracle, but stabilising the economy, stabilising the currency and few courageous steps the president has taken, and the achievement of his administration put hopes into tomorrow for all of us,” Fayose stated.
On the recent wave of defections from the PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Fayose dismissed any speculation about his own political allegiance shifting.
“Well, let me first of all clear this. Ayo Fayose will not move from PDP to any political party, not even APC. I am this year 65 years. It is within the choices of those who are choosing to move,” he said.
He acknowledged the PDP’s internal challenges, warning that if corrective actions are not taken swiftly, the party risks becoming irrelevant.
“And without doubt, the PDP is in trouble. And that’s the gospel truth. And I believe that if they don’t quickly, quickly take steps, the party in itself will become carcass,” he added.
When asked whether he is playing a role in resolving the crisis within the PDP, Fayose made it clear that his days of political frontline leadership are behind him.
“I’m not in the front line anymore. I am no more the governor of a state, the little contribution I can make, I made it while I was on the seat,” he said.
