Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has accused Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde of attempting to recast himself as an “emergency opposition mouthpiece” after allegedly receiving a cold reception from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during a recent visit to the Presidential Villa.
Fayose claimed that Makinde’s recent criticism of President Tinubu, made at the birthday celebration of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, was driven by frustration following a failed attempt to reconcile with the President.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Fayose said Makinde’s remarks at the event confirmed that his last visit to the Villa did not go as expected. According to him, Makinde had hoped to repair the damage caused by his earlier public comments against the President but was disappointed by the outcome of the meeting.
“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.
He added that Makinde’s visit to President Tinubu marked the end of any reconciliation between the two leaders, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“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. “It is now obvious that after getting that cold shoulder from the President, Makinde must have realized that the end of the road has come in terms of reconciliation.”
Fayose further alleged that President Tinubu had made his political stance on Oyo State clear, insisting that he would back candidates of his party in the state come 2027.
“As far as Oyo State is concerned, the President made it clear that he will support his party’s candidates in 2027,” Fayose claimed.
The former Ekiti governor also cast doubt on Makinde’s future within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), suggesting the party may no longer be a viable platform for him.
“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.
He urged the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo State to prepare for a tough contest, alleging that Makinde may field a candidate under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), as the PDP would no longer be available for his political ambitions.
