Former Ekiti State Governor Ayodele Fayose has revealed details of what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu allegedly told Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde during their closed-door meeting at the Presidential Villa, on Thursday in Abuja, insisting the encounter was far from cordial.
The meeting was the first one-on-one engagement between the President and Makinde since the Oyo governor’s controversial media chat last month, where he declared he would not support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 and accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of fuelling the crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as part of a plot to establish a one-party state.
Makinde had also alleged that the President failed to honour an agreement reached during the 2023 elections and accused Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of boasting about how he would “hold down” the PDP to pave the way for Tinubu’s victory in 2027.
However, speaking shortly after the meeting, Fayose claimed President Tinubu firmly addressed Makinde on political consistency and expectations ahead of 2027.
Fayose said: “He was told pointedly that he can’t come to the closet on political matters to eat his words, while saying another thing to the public.
“Furthermore, the President told Governor Makinde that he was not expecting any support from him regarding 2027, and that he should also expect that he (President) will support his party.”
According to Fayose, the President also made it clear that Makinde’s grievances with Wike were personal and not a matter for presidential intervention.
He said: “Here is the true story of what happened in the Villa when Governor Seyi Makinde visited the President today (yesterday).
“First, Governor Seyi Makinde demonstrated that he lacked enough courage to face the President alone. He had to enlist the support of the Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang.
“The President told him that if it was about official matters regarding Oyo State, he would listen to him.
“Lastly, the President made it clear to Makinde that Wike is someone whose support and consistency he (President) can’t deny or wish away. Therefore, if Makinde has issues with Wike, that is between the two of them, I should be left out of it.
“That’s why Makinde told the media that he’s comfortable in PDP. It’s because of the reality that there’s nothing for him in APC.
“And after this meeting, shouldn’t Makinde tell the people of Oyo State if he has returned the N30billion he admitted to have received from the Federal Government as intervention fund for the January 2023 Ibadan (Bodija) explosion?”
Fayose had earlier disclosed the Federal Government’s N30 billion intervention fund for victims of the Bodija explosion following Makinde’s media chat. The Oyo governor later confirmed that the state received the funds for resettlement of victims.
Despite Fayose’s claims, Makinde, while speaking to reporters after the meeting, described his relationship with the President as cordial and governance-focused.
He said: “The President is the President of Nigeria, not the President of APC, and we’re talking about governance here. So, I came to discuss with the President on some governance issues, basically”.
On whether the visit suggested a political rapprochement with the ruling party, Makinde maintained that political differences had never affected cooperation.
He said: “There’s nothing that I’ve said in the past that says we’re not enjoying a harmonious relationship. Politics is politics. We belong to different political parties, but Nigeria is a project that all Nigerians must be concerned about”.
The governor added that insecurity, poverty alleviation and citizens’ welfare were non-partisan issues requiring collaboration across political lines.
“These are things that have no coloration of a party. As leaders, whether President or governor, those are things we have to work together on, consult with one another, and ensure that we can make life better for our people,” he added.
Makinde also dismissed speculation about defecting to the APC, reaffirming his loyalty to the PDP.
“No. I’m comfortable in the PDP,” he said.
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