Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has reacted to the closed-door meeting between Seyi Makinde and Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, offering what he described as the “true story” of events that transpired during the visit.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Fayose alleged that Governor Makinde did not attend the meeting alone, claiming he sought the support of the Plateau State Governor to accompany him. According to Fayose, President Tinubu made it clear that he was willing to listen to Makinde on official matters concerning Oyo State, but not on partisan political issues.
Fayose further claimed that the President advised Makinde that if he had political grievances, particularly relating to previous public comments accusing the President of plotting a one-party state, such concerns should be expressed openly in public rather than raised privately. He alleged that President Tinubu cautioned Makinde against taking contradictory positions in private and in public.
The former Ekiti governor also asserted that President Tinubu told Makinde he did not expect political support from him ahead of 2027 and that the President would continue to support his own party. Fayose added that the President reportedly reaffirmed his relationship with Nyesom Wike, describing Wike as a consistent ally whose support he values, and stating that any dispute between Makinde and Wike should be resolved between both men without involving the Presidency.
According to Fayose, these discussions explained why Makinde later told journalists he remained comfortable within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), suggesting there was no political incentive for him to move to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In the same statement, Fayose also raised questions about a previously acknowledged federal intervention fund, calling on Governor Makinde to clarify whether the ₦30 billion said to have been received for the January 2023 Ibadan explosion had been returned.
Neither the Presidency nor Governor Makinde has officially responded to Fayose’s claims as of the time of this report.
